AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a candidate for state representative or state senator who wishes to apply for the general primary election must file an application for a place on the general primary election ballot in one of two places, depending on whether the candidate is running in a district with more than one county. If the potential candidate is running in a district which is comprised of more than one county, he or she may file with the state chair in Austin. However, if he or she is running in a district with only one county, the potential candidate may only file with the county chair or county secretary.
If the county chair or county secretary cannot be found, an individual running
for state representative or state senator faces unnecessary obstacles at the
filing stage. H.B. 157 simply allows candidates running for the office of state
representative or state senator filled by the voters of a single county to file
with their county chair, secretary, or state chair.
H.B. 157 amends current law relating to the filing of an application for a place on the general primary election ballot.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 172.022(a), Election Code, to require that an application for a place on the general primary election ballot be filed with the state chair, for an office filled by voters of more than one county; the county chair or the secretary, if any, of the county executive committee, for an office other than state senator or state representative filled by voters of a single county; or the state chair or the county chair or the secretary, if any, of the county executive committee, for the office of state senator or state representative filled by the voters of a single county.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 172.052(b), Election Code, to require that a withdrawal request for the general primary be filed with the authority with whom the withdrawing candidate's application for a place on the ballot was filed, rather than is required to be filed.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2011.