| TO: | Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB3043 by Farias (Relating to the conduct of early voting by personal appearance on Saturday in general and primary elections.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Election Code relating to early voting by personal appearance on Saturday in general and primary elections.
The bill would change the beginning day the voting period begins for a runoff primary election from the 10th day to the 11th day.
The bill would require early voting for a general or primary election by personal appearance to be held on one or more Saturdays, and for a special election, one or more Saturdays or Sundays.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the votes required to pass, the bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
The fiscal impact to local entities that currently hold elections for early voting on one or more Saturdays and/or Sundays would not be significant. However; counties that currently do not hold elections on Saturdays or Sundays reported the costs would be moderate to significant.
Tom Green County reported the costs to hold elections on a weekend would be an estimated $740 per election.
The Tarrant County Elections Administrator reported the costs to hold primary elections in even-numbered years would cost an estimated $92,000.
Harris County reported the costs to hold elections on a weekend for 36 early voting polls would be an estimated $75,000 which included the additional 17 hours for polls not currently open, and overtime staffing pay for employees.
The Dallas County Elections Administrator reported the costs to hold primary elections in even-numbered years would cost an estimated $40,000 to $50,000.
| Source Agencies: | 307 Secretary of State
|
| LBB Staff: | JOB, TP, SD
|