Bill Text: TX HB2936 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the number of poll watchers who may be appointed and who may serve at a particular location during an election.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-19 - Referred to Elections [HB2936 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB2936-Introduced.html

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83R11002 ADM-D
By: Miles H.B. No. 2936

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the number of poll watchers who may be appointed and who
may serve at a particular location during an election.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 33.007, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (e) and (f)
to read as follows:
(a) Each appointing authority may appoint not more than one
watcher [two watchers] for each precinct polling place, meeting
place for an early voting ballot board, or central counting station
involved in the election.
(b) Each appointing authority may appoint not more than
seven watchers for each main or branch early voting polling place
involved in the election. Multiple [Not more than two] watchers
appointed by the same authority may not be on duty at the same early
voting polling place at the same time.
(e) Not more than three watchers from all appointing
authorities combined may serve at the same time at a precinct
polling place, main or branch early voting polling place, meeting
place for an early voting ballot board, or central counting station
involved in an election. Except as provided by Subsection (f), of
the three watchers at any location:
(1) one must be appointed by the political party, or by
a candidate affiliated with the political party, that received the
greatest number of votes in the most recent gubernatorial election;
and
(2) one must be appointed by a political party, or by a
candidate affiliated with a political party, that received the
second-greatest number of votes in the most recent gubernatorial
election.
(f) If a watcher described by Subsection (e)(1) or (2) has
not reported for service at a precinct polling place, main or branch
early voting polling place, meeting place for an early voting
ballot board, or central counting station involved in an election,
another watcher may serve instead until:
(1) a watcher described by Subsection (e)(1) or (2)
reports for service; and
(2) the total number of watchers who have reported for
service at that location is greater than three.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.