The bill, S.B. No. 567, amends the Election Code to regulate the use of buildings owned or controlled by public schools as polling places. It stipulates that while public buildings should be used as polling places when practicable, there are specific restrictions regarding school district buildings and open-enrollment charter schools. Notably, polling places cannot be located in these school buildings unless they are not on or adjacent to a school campus, or if the building is in a county with a population of 50,000 or less and no reasonable alternative polling place can be identified.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that polling places cannot be situated at the residence of a candidate for elective office or their close relatives. The amendments include the insertion of new provisions that outline these restrictions and the deletion of previous language that allowed for broader use of public buildings without these specific conditions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 43.031 (Election Code 43)