| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the election of certain junior college district |
|
|
trustees by plurality vote. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 130.082, Education Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (g-1) and (g-2) to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(g) The board shall [designate a] number [for] the positions |
|
|
on [position held by each member of] the board[, from one upward] in |
|
|
the [consecutive numerical] order in which the [such manner that |
|
|
the lowest numbers shall be assigned to the members whose] terms of |
|
|
office of the members expire [in the shortest length of time], |
|
|
provided that any [such] position number designations on existing |
|
|
boards under existing law on [at] the effective date of this act or |
|
|
on the effective date of an amendment to this subsection shall |
|
|
remain in effect. At each election candidates must [shall] be voted |
|
|
upon and be elected separately for each position on the board, and |
|
|
the name of each candidate must [shall] be placed on the official |
|
|
ballot according to the number of the position for which the |
|
|
candidate [he or she] is running. Except as provided by Subsection |
|
|
(g-1), the [A] candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast [for |
|
|
all candidates] for each respective [a] position to be filled at the |
|
|
election is [shall be declared] elected. If no candidate receives |
|
|
[such] a majority, then the two candidates receiving the highest |
|
|
number of votes shall run against each other for the position. The |
|
|
run-off election for all positions shall be held on a date that |
|
|
complies with law in the same manner [and shall be ordered, notice |
|
|
thereof given, and held,] as provided [herein] for regular |
|
|
elections. The board shall place a candidate's name [Any resident, |
|
|
qualified elector of the district may have his or her name placed as |
|
|
a candidate] on the official ballot for any position to be filled at |
|
|
each regular election if the candidate is a resident of the |
|
|
district, is a qualified elector of the district, and files [by |
|
|
filing] with the secretary of the board a written application |
|
|
[therefor] signed by the applicant that complies with Section |
|
|
144.005, Election Code. The [, not later than 5 p.m. of the 45th day |
|
|
before the date of the election. An application may not be filed |
|
|
earlier than the 30th day before the date of the filing deadline. |
|
|
Such] application must state the number of the position [for which |
|
|
he or she is a candidate,] or the name of the incumbent member of the |
|
|
board holding the position for which the candidate [he or she] |
|
|
desires to run. The order [location] on the ballot of the names of |
|
|
candidates for each position shall be chosen by lot by the board. A |
|
|
candidate shall be eligible to run for only one position at each |
|
|
election. |
|
|
(g-1) The board of trustees of the following junior college |
|
|
districts may by resolution provide, not later than the 180th day |
|
|
before the date of an election, that a candidate receiving the |
|
|
highest number of votes cast for each respective position to be |
|
|
filled at the election is elected: |
|
|
(1) Laredo Community College District; and |
|
|
(2) Southwest Texas Junior College District. |
|
|
(g-2) A resolution adopted under Subsection (g-1) is |
|
|
effective for subsequent elections until rescinded by a subsequent |
|
|
resolution adopted not later than the 180th day before the date of |
|
|
the first election to which the rescission applies. |
|
|
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
|
to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |