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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a ballot option to not vote for any candidate. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 52.0685 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 52.0685. OPTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE. |
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(a) Voters shall be given the opportunity to select "I choose not to |
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vote in this race" instead of voting for the candidates appearing on |
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the ballot or the list of write-in candidates for each race. |
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(b) A vote under this section does not count for the purpose |
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of determining which candidate received a majority of votes. |
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(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and |
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manner of placing the option "I choose not to vote in this race" on |
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the ballot. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 52.070(a) and (b), Election Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A shape for voting shall be printed to the left of: |
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(1) each candidate's name on a ballot; and |
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(2) the option "I choose not to vote in this race" for |
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each office to be voted on in the election. |
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(b) Immediately below "OFFICIAL BALLOT," the following |
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instruction shall be printed: "Vote for the candidate of your |
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choice in each race by placing an 'X' or filling in the shape beside |
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the candidate's name or beside "I choose not to vote in this race"." |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |