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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the procedure for holding a special election. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 4, Election Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 4.009 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 4.009. ADDITIONAL NOTICE REQUIREMENTS: SPECIAL |
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ELECTIONS. (a) In addition to any other notice given under Section |
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4.003, notice of a special election must be given by one or more of |
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the following methods: |
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(1) by mailing, not earlier than 10 days or not later |
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than five days before the date of the special election, a copy of |
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the notice required under Section 4.003 to each registered voter of |
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the territory that is covered by the special election and is in the |
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jurisdiction of the authority responsible for giving the notice; or |
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(2) by announcements, to begin not earlier than seven |
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days before the date of the special election: |
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(A) during hourly news segments on one or more |
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local radio stations broadcasting from the territory that is |
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covered by the election; or |
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(B) during the evening news broadcasts of one or |
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more local television affiliates broadcasting from the territory |
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that is covered by the election. |
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(b) An announcement under this section must comply with the |
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content requirements under Section 4.004. |
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SECTION 2. Section 43.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) Unless the commissioners court consolidates two or more |
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election precincts under Section 42.008, the designated polling |
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place for a special election shall be the polling place used in the |
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most recent general election for state and county officers. |
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SECTION 3. Section 43.004, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) Unless the commissioners court consolidates two or more |
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election precincts under Section 42.008, the designated polling |
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place for a special election shall be the polling place used in the |
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most recent general election of the political subdivision. |
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SECTION 4. Section 43.005, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 43.005. DESIGNATION OF LOCATION: CERTAIN SPECIAL |
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ELECTIONS. The authority establishing election precincts under |
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Section 42.062 shall, to the extent practicable, designate the |
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location of the polling place used in the most recent general |
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election for state and county officers as the polling place for each |
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precinct. |
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SECTION 5. Section 43.061(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) If the location of a polling place changes after notice |
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of an election is given under Section 4.003 or 4.009, the county |
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clerk shall give notice of the change not later than the earlier of: |
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(1) 24 hours after the location is changed; or |
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(2) 72 hours before the polls open on election day. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |