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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 third |
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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, upcoming elections, |
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balloting procedures, and the availability of resources to answer |
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voting-related questions. The secretary of state may distribute |
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sample ballots, record public service announcements, develop |
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programs for use in public schools, libraries, and institutions of |
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higher education, and utilize other public awareness methods as |
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part of the program. The secretary of state, in cooperation with |
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voter registrars, may promote Voter Education Week through a |
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coordinated program that meets the requirements of this subsection. |
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Voter registrars shall primarily direct program efforts at |
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populations not served by the secretary of state's efforts or |
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populations not registered, but eligible to register, to vote. |
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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, 2011. |