BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1026

By: Thompson, Ed

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point to the need for experienced personnel to help run elections that use technologically advanced voting systems. These parties explain that the position of tabulation supervisor for an election is a technical position that requires knowledge of the system in use at that election and that providing for an experienced tabulation supervisor will ensure that elections are run smoothly. The parties are concerned, however, that current eligibility requirements for appointment as a tabulation supervisor at a central counting station can impede the goal of well-run elections. The parties emphasize, for example, that the eligibility requirements for tabulation supervisors are largely the same as those prescribed for precinct election judges, which require, in part, the judge to be a qualified voter of the precinct, unless an eligible qualified voter of the precinct cannot be found. The parties assert that this restriction limits the pool of people with experience working with the technologically advanced voting systems. The parties also note that these limitations were established when most entities conducted separate elections and point out that many political subdivisions within a county now contract with the county to conduct their elections, partly to gain access to the county's voting system. H.B. 1026 seeks to address this issue relating to tabulation supervisor eligibility requirements.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1026 amends the Election Code to include as an eligibility requirement for appointment as tabulation supervisor for a central counting station for processing electronic voting system results that the person be a registered voter of the political subdivision served by the authority establishing the counting station or an employee of the political subdivision that adopts or owns the voting system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.