By: Duncan S.B. No. 578

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to use of countywide polling places for certain elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 43.004, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) If a political subdivision holds an election jointly with an election described by Section 43.007(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) and is required to use countywide polling places under Section 43.007, the governing body of the political subdivision may designate as the polling places for any required runoff election only the polling places located in the territory or in and near the territory of the political subdivision where eligible voters reside.

SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 43.007, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state shall implement a program to allow each commissioners court participating in the program to eliminate county election precinct polling places and establish countywide polling places for:

(1) each general election for state and county officers;

(2) each election held on the uniform election date in May;

(3) each election on a proposed constitutional amendment; [and]

(4) each primary election and runoff primary election if:

(A) the county chair or county executive committee of each political party participating in a joint primary election under Section 172.126 agrees to the use of countywide polling places; or

(B) the county chair or county executive committee of each political party required to nominate candidates by primary election agrees to use the same countywide polling places; and

(5) each election of a political subdivision located in the county that is held jointly with an election described by Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4) [(3)].

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.