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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the procedures for closing 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 33.056(c), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) A watcher is entitled to inspect the returns and other |
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records prepared by the election officers at the location at which |
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the watcher is serving, including a tape printed under Section |
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61.002. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a), (c), and (d) and adding Subsections (e) |
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and (f) to read as follows: |
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(a) Immediately before opening the polls for voting on the |
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first day of early voting and on election day, the presiding |
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election judge or alternate presiding [election] judge shall |
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confirm that each voting machine has any public counter reset to |
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zero and shall print the tape that shows the counter was set to zero |
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for each candidate or measure on the ballot. |
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(c) Immediately after closing the polls for voting on |
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election day and on the last day of early voting by personal |
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appearance, the presiding election judge or alternate presiding |
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[election] judge shall print the tape to show the number of votes |
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cast for each candidate or ballot measure for each voting machine. |
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(d) The presiding [Each] election judge and [or] alternate |
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presiding [election] judge [present] shall sign a tape printed |
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under this section. |
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(e) When closing the polls on the last day of early voting, |
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the presiding election judge and alternate presiding judge shall |
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place a tape printed under this section in envelope no. 2. |
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(f) When closing the polls for voting on election day, any |
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watcher present, but not more than three, may sign a tape printed |
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under this section. |
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SECTION 3. Section 61.007, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) A person who prints a tape under Section 61.002 does not |
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commit an offense under this section. |
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SECTION 4. Section 66.023, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 66.023. CONTENTS OF ENVELOPE NO. 2. Envelope no. 2 |
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must contain: |
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(1) a copy of the precinct returns; |
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(2) a tally list; |
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(3) the original of the poll list; |
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(4) the signature roster; |
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(5) the precinct early voting list; |
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(6) any affidavits completed at the polling place |
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except affidavits required to be placed in envelope no. 4; [and] |
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(7) any certificates of appointment of watchers; and |
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(8) any voting machine tape printed for the purpose of |
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showing the number of votes cast. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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