BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current statute, if a local entity contracts with its county to conduct its election and then cancels the election because there are no contested races, then the county must post the notice of cancellation at the polling place.
However, currently there are precincts where over 20 counties are using a single countywide voting center where a voter can cast a ballot within. Therefore, the cancellation notice must be posted at all of the voting locations within the county.
The problem arises when multiple entities cancel their elections and the county clerk is required to post separate notices at each of the voting center locations.
H.B. 3157 would allow election officials to combine all the notices into one notice; still requiring notification of voters, but not overwhelming the polling location and reducing the amount of paperwork required for the county.
H.B. 3157 amends current law relating to notice of cancellation of elections.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2.081, Election Code, by adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(c) Authorizes a county election officer, as defined by Section 31.091 (Definitions), to use a single combined notice of cancellation under Subsection (b) (requiring the holding the election to post notice of the declaration during early voting by personal appearance and on election day) for all authorities:
(1) for which the officer provides election services under contract; and
(2) that declare an election moot under Subsection (a) (authorizing the authority to declare the measure moot and remove the measure from the ballot).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.