counties can combine precincts under 500 voters

The text as introduced · 436 words

89R904 MPF-F

By: Hagenbuch
S.B. No. 1597

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 combined precinct under Subsection (a) or (b) is

subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under

Section 42.006.

(d) [ (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.

(e) [ (c) ] A combined precinct under Subsection (d) [ 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 September 1, 2025.