BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 895
79R3437 DRH-F By: Carona
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As proposed, S.B. 895 gives counties additional time to count ballots cast during the period for early voting. Further, S.B. 895 provides that, if a committee is comprised of more than 12 members, the early voting clerk can designate subcommittees comprised of at least six members. This will expedite the early vote counting process in large counties.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 87.0241(b), Election Code, to prohibit the early voting ballot board from counting early ballots until the polls are open on election day or, in an election conducted by an authority of a county with a population of 100,000 or more or conducted jointly with such a county, the ninth day before election day, rather than the end of the period for early voting by personal appearance.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 87.027, Election Code, by amending Subsection (i) and adding Subsection (1), as follows:
(i) Deletes existing text specifying a timeline for the delivery of sorted materials to the early voting ballot board. Makes a conforming change.
(1) Authorizes the early voting clerk to designate two or more subcommittees of not less than six members, if more than 12 members are appointed to serve on the committee. Provides that, if subcommittees have been designated, a determination under Subsection (i) is made by a majority of the subcommittee.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.