88S40106 MLH-F
 
  By: Springer S.B. No. 23
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the combination of certain election precincts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 42.0051.  COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS.  (a)  If changes
  in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a
  redistricting plan result in county election precincts with fewer
  than 500 registered voters, a commissioners court for a general or
  special election, or for a primary election the county executive
  committee of a political party conducting a primary election, may
  combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005
  to avoid unreasonable expenditures for election equipment,
  supplies, and personnel [This section applies only to a county with
  a population of less than 1.2 million that does not participate in
  the countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007].
         (b)  County election precincts in a county with a population
  of not less than 250,000 may also be combined under Subsection (a)
  if the changes result in county election precincts with not fewer
  than 500 and not more than 750 registered voters.
         (c) [(a-1)]  In a general or special election for which use
  of county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court
  of a county with a population of less than 1.2 million that does not
  participate in the countywide polling place program described by
  Section 43.007 may, on the recommendation of the county election
  board, combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section
  42.005 if:
               (1)  the commissioners court cannot secure a suitable
  polling place location under Section 43.031; and
               (2)  the location of the combined polling place
  adequately serves the voters of the combined precinct.
         (d)  A combined precinct under Subsection (a) or (b) is
  subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under
  Section 42.006.
         (e) [(c)]  A combined precinct under Subsection (c) [this
  section] may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.
         (f) [(d)]  A combined precinct may not be established if it:
               (1)  results in a dilution of voting strength of a group
  covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et
  seq.);
               (2)  results in a dilution of representation of a group
  covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
  process or procedure; or
               (3)  results in discouraging participation by a group
  covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral
  process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or
  other factors.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.