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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to ensuring political subdivisions hold elections |
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required by law. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 31.005, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.005. PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS. (a) The |
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secretary of state may take appropriate action to protect the |
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voting rights of the citizens of this state from abuse by the |
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authorities administering the state's electoral processes. |
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(b) If the secretary determines that a person performing |
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official functions in the administration of any part of the |
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electoral processes is exercising the powers vested in that person: |
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(1) in a manner that impedes the free exercise of a |
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citizen's voting rights; or |
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(2) to unduly delay or cancel an election they are |
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legally required to hold without obtaining prior approval from the |
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Secretary of State or a court of competent jurisdiction, |
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the secretary may order the person to correct the offending |
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conduct. If the person fails to comply, the secretary may seek |
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enforcement of the order by a temporary restraining order or a writ |
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of injunction or mandamus obtained through the attorney general. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |