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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to Voter Education Week. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 31.015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.015. VOTER EDUCATION WEEK. (a) To educate Texans |
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about the importance of voting to a healthy democracy, the second |
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week of September is designated as Voter Education Week. |
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(b) The secretary of state shall develop a program that |
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raises awareness about voter registration and balloting procedures |
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and educates the public about the candidates and issues through |
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nonpartisan voter guides and public forums. The secretary of state |
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may distribute sample ballots, record public service |
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announcements, and utilize other public awareness methods as part |
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of the program. The secretary of state, in cooperation with voter |
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registrars, may promote Voter Education Week through a coordinated |
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program that meets the requirements of this subsection. |
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(c) Not later than January 31 of each odd-numbered year, the |
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secretary of state shall report on the implementation of this |
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section and the effectiveness of the program in increasing voter |
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registration and turnout to the governor, lieutenant governor, and |
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speaker of the house of representatives. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |