BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3252

By: Allen

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the posting requirements for notices at polling places relating to the political party conventions. It has been suggested that voters choosing to vote early during a primary election are less likely to see these notices due to the window during which the notices must be posted. Additionally, there have been calls to clarify posting requirements of a county clerk in relation to primary election notices. H.B. 3252 seeks to address these issues by revising certain primary election notice 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. 3252 amends the Election Code to require the written notice of the date, hour, and place for each precinct, county, senatorial, or state convention that a voter in the precinct may be eligible to attend during an election year to be posted and remain posted continuously during the early voting period for a primary election. The bill changes the posting location of a primary election notice and the notice of consolidated precincts for general and special elections from the political party's website to the county clerk's website. The bill clarifies the requirement to post the notice on the bulletin board used for posting commissioners court meeting notices if the county clerk does not maintain a website.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.