AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Section 41.0053 (Elections on Spring Uniform Date in Certain Political Subdivisions), Election Code, requires cities to hold council elections only on the spring uniform election date if the city has a population over 450,000 and the entire council is elected at large, the independent school district or community college service area is largely the same as the city limits, and the transit authority primarily serves the city with a population over 450,000 and council elected at large.
Currently, the only way for a city that meets these criteria to change the election date is to appeal to the legislature.
C.S.S.B. 1034 would permit an applicable city to change the election date for city officers to the November uniform election date if a majority vote of city voters opt to make the change.
C.S.S.B. 1034 amends current law relating to the authority of certain political subdivisions to change the date of their general elections.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 41.0052(a) and (a-1), Election Code, as follows:
(a) Redesignates existing Subsection (a-1) as Subsection (a). Authorizes the governing body of a political subdivision, other than a county, that holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date, not later than December 31, 2012, rather than December 31, 2010, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date. Deletes existing Subsection (a) authorizing the governing body of a political subdivision other than a county, not later than December 31, 2005, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to another authorized uniform election date.
SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 41.0053 (Elections on Spring Uniform Date in Certain Political Subdivisions), Elections Code.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.