BILL ANALYSIS
By: Flynn
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
To date, numerous county election officials have experienced and reported a problematic aspect with the make-up of election officials during early voting. The problem occurs when each of the election officials for early voting all belong to one particular political party.
Current law in Texas requires equal party representation among election personnel at voting locations on election day, however this policy is not in place for personnel at voting locations during early voting.
House Bill 3142 requires equal representation during early voting for each political party holding a primary election in the county.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 3142 amends the Election Code to require the composition of the set of election officers, including county employees, serving the main and branch early voting polling places during a general or primary election to contain equal representation for each political party holding a primary election in the county.
The changes in law made by this bill apply only to an election for which early voting begins on or after the effective date of the bill.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.