86R11980 ATP-F
 
  By: Fallon S.B. No. 1566
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the elections for which countywide polling places may
  be used.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 43.004(c), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  If a political subdivision holds an election jointly
  with an election described by Section 43.007(a)(1), (2), or (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.  Sections 43.007(a) and (k), Election Code, are
  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 and any resulting runoff;
               (2) [(3)]  each election on a proposed constitutional
  amendment that is not held on the same date as the general election
  for state and county officers;
               (3) [(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
               (4) [(5)]  each election of a political subdivision
  located in the county that is held jointly with an election
  described by Subdivision (1), (2), or (3)[, or (4)].
         (k)  Each county that previously participated in a program
  under this section is authorized to continue participation in the
  program for future elections held on the uniform election date in
  May and any resulting runoff, elections on proposed constitutional
  amendments that are not held on the same date as the general
  election for state and county officers, and primary elections and
  runoff primary elections as described by Subsection (a) if:
               (1)  the commissioners court of the county approves
  participation in the program; and
               (2)  the secretary of state determines the county's
  participation in the program was successful.
         SECTION 3.  Section 32.002(c-1), Election Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act.
  An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.