88(R) SB 1993 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of the secretary of state to order a new |
 
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election in certain counties. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Title 14, Election Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subtitle E to read as follows: |
 
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SUBTITLE E. ORDER FOR NEW ELECTION BY SECRETARY OF STATE |
 
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CHAPTER 249. SHORTAGE OF BALLOTS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES |
 
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             Sec.  249.001.    STANDARD FOR NEW ELECTION. Notwithstanding |
 
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any other law, in a county with a population of 2.7 million or more, |
 
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the secretary of state shall order a new election if the secretary |
 
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has good cause to believe that at least two percent of the total |
 
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number of polling places in the county: |
 
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                         (1)    ran out of usable ballots during voting hours; and |
 
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                         (2)    did not receive supplemental ballots under Section |
 
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51.008 for one or more hours after making a request for supplemental |
 
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ballots to the authority responsible for distributing election |
 
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supplies. |
 
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             Sec.  249.002.    PROCEDURES FOR NEW ELECTION. In establishing |
 
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the procedures for a new election ordered under this chapter, the |
 
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secretary of state shall have the same authority granted to a |
 
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district court under Section 231.007. |
 
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             Sec.  249.003.    EXPENSES OF NEW ELECTION. The expenses of a |
 
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new election ordered by the secretary of state under this chapter |
 
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are paid from the same fund and by the same authority that paid the |
 
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expenses of the previous election. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
 
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an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |