BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1904

By: Sheffield

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to certain interested parties, current provisions of law do not clearly define the deadline for filing a declaration of write-in candidacy for the office of precinct chair or county chair of a political party. H.B. 1904 provides a precise filing deadline for such candidates.

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

H.B. 1904 amends the Election Code to change the filing deadline for a declaration of write-in candidacy for the office of county chair or precinct chair of a political party from 5 p.m. on the 62nd day before general primary election day to 6 p.m. on the fifth day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election. The bill changes the filing deadline for such a declaration, if the candidate whose name is to appear on the ballot for the office of county chair or precinct chair dies or is declared ineligible after the third day before the date of the regular filing deadline, from 5 p.m. on the 59th day before election day to 6 p.m. on the eighth day after the date of the regular filing deadline for the general primary election.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.