S.B. No. 985 amends Section 42.0051 of the Election Code to allow for the combination of certain election precincts in Texas. The bill stipulates that if changes in county election precinct boundaries due to a redistricting plan result in precincts with fewer than 3,000 registered voters, a commissioners court or the county executive committee of a political party may combine these precincts to avoid excessive costs related to election equipment, supplies, and personnel. The previous limitation that this provision only applied to counties with populations under 1.2 million and not participating in the countywide polling place program has been removed. Additionally, the bill establishes that combined precincts must adhere to the maximum population limits set forth in Section 42.006.

Furthermore, the bill outlines conditions under which precincts can be combined, including the inability to secure a suitable polling place and ensuring that the combined location adequately serves voters. It also emphasizes that combined precincts must not dilute the voting strength or representation of groups protected under the federal Voting Rights Act. For administrative purposes, combined precincts will be treated as a single precinct for the appointment of election judges. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 42.0051 (Election Code 42)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 42.0051 (Election Code 42)
Engrossed: Election Code 42.0051 (Election Code 42)
House Committee Report: Election Code 42.0051 (Election Code 42)
Enrolled: Election Code 42.0051 (Election Code 42)