SB985 - Relating to the combination of certain election precincts.

      S.B. No. 985         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 3,000 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)     A combined precinct under Subsection (a) is subject to   the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section   42.006.           (c)  [ (a-1) ]  In a county that does not participate in the   countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007, for  a   general or special election for which use of county election   precincts is required, the commissioner's court [ may, ] on the   recommendation of the county election board, or for a primary   election for which use of county election precincts is required,   the county executive committee of a political party conducting the   primary election, may  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.           (d)  [ (c) ]  A combined precinct under Subsection (c) [ this   section ] may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.           (e)  [ (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.           (f)   For the purposes of appointing a presiding election judge   and an alternate presiding judge to a county election precinct   combined under this section, the combined precinct shall be   considered a single precinct and the judges shall be appointed in   accordance with the procedures provided under Chapter 32.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the Senate on   April 2, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that   the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 12, 2025, by the   following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the House, with   amendment, on May 7, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 94,   Nays 52, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor