Bill Text: TX HB153 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Relating to a ballot option to not vote for any candidate.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 16-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-05-08 - Returned to committee [HB153 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HB153-Comm_Sub.html
| 88R21762 LRM-D | |||
| By: Swanson | H.B. No. 153 | ||
| Substitute the following for H.B. No. 153: | |||
| By: DeAyala | C.S.H.B. No. 153 | ||
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| relating to a ballot option to not vote for any candidate. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 52, Election Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 52.0685 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 52.0685. OPTION TO AFFIRMATIVELY CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE. | ||
| (a) Voters shall be given the opportunity to select "I choose not to | ||
| vote in this race" instead of voting for the candidates appearing on | ||
| the ballot or the list of write-in candidates for each race. | ||
| (b) A vote under this section does not count for the purpose | ||
| of determining which candidate received a majority of votes. | ||
| (c) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and | ||
| manner of placing the option "I choose not to vote in this race" on | ||
| the ballot. | ||
| SECTION 2. Sections 52.070(a) and (b), Election Code, are | ||
| amended to read as follows: | ||
| (a) A shape for voting shall be printed to the left of: | ||
| (1) each candidate's name on a ballot; and | ||
| (2) the option "I choose not to vote in this race" for | ||
| each office to be voted on in the election. | ||
| (b) Immediately below "OFFICIAL BALLOT," the following | ||
| instruction shall be printed: "Vote for the candidate of your | ||
| choice in each race by placing an 'X' or filling in the shape beside | ||
| the candidate's name or beside "I choose not to vote in this race"." | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. | ||
