BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1303

By: Miller, Rick

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The integrity of elections is a concern of all citizens, and although poll watchers may represent particular candidates, political parties, or specific-purpose political action committees, they are interested in ensuring the conduct of a fair and honest election. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to identify a poll watcher who is observing an election. In an effort to better identify poll watchers, H.B. 1303 seeks to require a poll watcher to be provided with identification.  

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. 1303 amends the Election Code to require the election officer, on accepting for service a person appointed to watch the conduct of an election on behalf of a candidate, a political party, or the proponents or opponents of a measure, to provide the watcher with a form of identification, prescribed by the secretary of state, to be displayed by the watcher during the watcher's hours of service at the polling place.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.