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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the secretary of state posting on the secretary of |
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state's Internet website databases containing certain information |
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about elections. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 4.003(e), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(e) The authority responsible for giving notice of the |
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election shall deliver to the secretary of state: |
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(1) a copy of the notice of a consolidated precinct |
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required by Subsection (b) not later than the date of the election; |
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and |
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(2) information for the secretary of state's database |
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of election information under Section 31.017 in an electronic |
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format required by the secretary of state. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 31.017 and 31.018 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.017. INTERNET DATABASE OF ELECTION INFORMATION. |
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(a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary of state's |
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public Internet website a database containing information provided |
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by each authority responsible for giving notice of an election in |
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this state. The database must include the following information: |
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(1) the name of the authority; |
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(2) each office to be filled at the election; |
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(3) whether the office is elected at large or by |
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district; and |
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(4) the dates of the preceding and next election for |
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the office. |
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(b) The secretary of state: |
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(1) may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from any public or private source for the creation and |
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maintenance of the database; and |
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(2) shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this |
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section. |
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Sec. 31.018. INTERNET DATABASE FOR INCUMBENTS AND |
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CANDIDATES. (a) The secretary of state shall post on the secretary |
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of state's Internet website a database containing information about |
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each holder of and candidate for any elected office in this state. |
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(b) The database must include the following information |
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about a holder of an elected office: |
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(1) name; |
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(2) office title, including any district, place, or |
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position; |
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(3) if the office is elected at large or by district; |
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(4) date of the previous and next election for the |
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office; |
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(5) public mailing address; |
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(6) public telephone number, if available; and |
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(7) public e-mail address, if available. |
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(c) The database must include the following information |
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about a candidate for an elected office: |
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(1) name; |
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(2) office sought, including any district, place, or |
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position; |
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(3) if the office is elected at large or by district; |
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(4) date of the election; |
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(5) public mailing address; |
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(6) public telephone number, if available; |
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(7) public e-mail address, if available; |
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(8) name of the incumbent; and |
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(9) if the candidate has filed as a write-in |
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candidate. |
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(d) The authority with whom a declaration of candidacy is |
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filed, a state chair of a political party, or the presiding officer |
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of a political party's convention shall provide information about a |
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candidate or officeholder to the secretary of state. |
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(e) The secretary of state may prescribe any procedures |
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necessary to implement this section. |
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SECTION 3. Section 52.003, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A candidate's name may not be printed on the ballot |
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until the candidate's name appears on the secretary of state's |
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Internet website as a candidate for elected office under Section |
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31.018. |
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SECTION 4. Section 141.032, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (h) to read as follows: |
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(h) The authority with whom the application is filed shall |
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provide the secretary of state with the candidate's information |
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required for the secretary of state's Internet website under |
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Section 31.018. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |