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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the location of a polling place. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 43.031, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (b) and (e) and adding Subsection (b-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) Each polling place shall be located inside a building. A |
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polling place may not be located in a tent or other temporary |
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moveable structure or in a facility primarily designed for motor |
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vehicles. No voter may cast a vote from inside a motor vehicle |
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unless the voter meets the requirements of Section 64.009. |
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(b-1) A polling place may not be located in: |
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(1) a tent or other temporary or movable structure; or |
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(2) a parking garage, parking lot, or similar facility |
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primarily designed for motor vehicles. |
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(e) A polling place may not be located at [the] a personal |
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residence [of a person who is: |
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[(1) a candidate for an elective office, including an |
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office of a political party; or |
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[(2) related within the third degree by consanguinity |
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or the second degree by affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, |
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Government Code, to a candidate described by Subdivision (1)]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 85.062(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A polling place established under this section may be |
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located, subject to Subsection (d), at any place in the territory |
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served by the early voting clerk and may be located inside [in] any |
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building [stationary structure] as directed by the authority |
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establishing the branch office. The polling place may not be |
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located in a tent or other temporary movable structure or in a |
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facility designed primarily for motor vehicles in the general |
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election for state and county officers, general primary election, |
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or runoff primary election. Ropes or other suitable objects may be |
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used at the polling place to ensure compliance with Section 62.004. |
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Persons who are not expressly permitted by law to be in a polling |
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place shall be excluded from the polling place to the extent |
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practicable. |
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SECTION 3. The following provision of the Election Code is |
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repealed: |
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(1) Section 85.062(e). |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |