By: Springer S.B. No. 924
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
         relating to authorizing certain election precincts to
  consolidate.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows: COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS. (a) If changes in
  county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a
  redistricting plan result in county election precincts with a
  number of registered voters less than 500, 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.
         (b)  County election precincts in a county with a population
  of 250,000 or more may also be combined under Subsection (a) if the
  changes result in county election precincts with 500 or more but
  fewer than 750 registered voters.
         (cb)  A combined precinct under this section is subject to
  the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section
  42.006.
         (dc)  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.  Chapter 42 of the Election Code is amended by
  adding Section 42.0052, Election Code, to read as follows:
         COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS IN LARGE COUNTIES
         (a)  In an election for which use of county election
  precincts is required in a county with a population of at least
  150,000, but not greater than 1.2 million, the commissioners court
  may consolidate, on the recommendation of the county election
  board, two or more county election precincts into a single
  precinct, not withstanding Section 42.005, if the polling place is
  located so it will adequately serve the voters of the consolidated
  precinct.
               (1)  A consolidated precinct under this section cannot
  exceed 10,000 active registered voters.
         (b)  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 3.  (a)  Subject to Subsection (b) of this section,
  this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
         (b)  This Act takes effect only if legislation proposed by
  the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to the use of
  banning public schools as polling places is enacted and becomes
  law. If legislation described by this section is not enacted or does
  not become law, this Act has no effect.