78R6695 DRH-D

By:  Staples                                                      S.B. No. 1643



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the appointment of election officers for a central 
counting station for certain elections.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 127.005, Election Code, is amended by 
adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
	(e)  For an election in which election judges appointed under 
Section 32.002 serve, the presiding judge and an alternate 
presiding judge shall be appointed for each central counting 
station operating in the election in the same manner as a presiding 
judge and alternate presiding judge under Section 32.002.
	(f)  An alternate presiding judge appointed under Subsection 
(e) serves:
		(1)  as presiding judge for the counting station if the 
regularly appointed presiding judge cannot serve; or
		(2)  in another position established under this 
subchapter.          
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is 
amended by adding Section 127.008 to read as follows:
	Sec. 127.008.  APPOINTMENT OF COUNTING STATION STAFF.  (a)  
This section applies only to an election in which election judges 
appointed under Section 32.002 serve.
	(b)  Not later than the 25th day before the day of an 
election, the county chair of each political party that holds a 
primary in the county shall submit in writing to the commissioners 
court a list of names of persons qualified for each position 
described in this subchapter, other than presiding judge.  To the 
extent possible, the person designated to make appointments under 
this subchapter shall make appointments in equal numbers from the 
lists provided under this subsection.  If not serving as presiding 
judge, the alternate presiding judge shall be appointed to one of 
the positions.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.