Bill Text: TX SB398 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the separation of federal elections from state and local elections, and to related practices and procedures.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-15 - Referred to State Affairs [SB398 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB398-Introduced.html
  88R1541 MLH-F
 
  By: Hall S.B. No. 398
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the separation of federal elections from state and
  local elections, and to related practices and procedures.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  This code applies to all general, special, federal, and
  primary elections held in this state.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1.005, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subdivisions (4-b), (7), (14), and (19) and adding
  Subdivisions (4-c) and (4-d) to read as follows:
               (4-b)  "Federal election" means a primary or general
  election for a federal office or a resulting runoff election and
  does not include an election held for electors for president and
  vice president of the United States.
               (4-c)  "Federal judge" means:
                     (A)  a judge, former judge, or retired judge of a
  United States court of appeals;
                     (B)  a judge, former judge, or retired judge of a
  United States district court;
                     (C)  a judge, former judge, or retired judge of a
  United States bankruptcy court; or
                     (D)  a magistrate judge, former magistrate judge,
  or retired magistrate judge of a United States district court.
               (4-d)  "Federal office" means the office of United
  States senator or United States representative.
               (7)  "General election for state and county officers"
  means the general election at which officers of the [federal,]
  state[,] and county governments are elected.
               (14)  "Primary election" means an election held by a
  political party under Chapter 172 to select its nominees for public
  office, and, unless the context indicates otherwise, the term
  includes a [presidential] primary election for a federal office.
               (19)  "Statewide office" means an office of the
  [federal or] state government that is voted on statewide.
         SECTION 3.  Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and
  20, Election Code, are designated as Subtitle A, Title 2, Election
  Code, and a heading is added to Subtitle A to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
         SECTION 4.  Section 11.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  In this code, "qualified voter" means a person who:
               (1)  is 18 years of age or older;
               (2)  is a United States citizen;
               (3)  has not been determined by a final judgment of a
  court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:
                     (A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or
                     (B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the
  right to vote;
               (4)  has not been finally convicted of a felony or, if
  so convicted, has:
                     (A)  fully discharged the person's sentence,
  including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or
  completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or
                     (B)  been pardoned or otherwise released from the
  resulting disability to vote;
               (5)  is a resident of this state; and
               (6)  is a registered voter under this subtitle.
         SECTION 5.  Section 15.003(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  On receipt of a voter registration certificate issued
  under this subtitle [title], the person to whom the certificate is
  issued must personally sign it in the appropriate space.
         SECTION 6.  Title 2, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Subtitle B to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE B. FEDERAL ELECTIONS
  CHAPTER 21. GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 21.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this subtitle:
               (1)  "Federal ballot" means a ballot that only lists
  elections and candidates for federal office.
               (2)  "State election" means an election that is not a
  federal election.
         Sec. 21.002.  FEDERAL ELECTIONS SEPARATE. (a)
  Notwithstanding other law, a federal election is a separate
  election from any other election in this state.
         (b)  A federal election under this subtitle may not list on
  the federal ballot any proposition or election for state or county
  office.
         (c)  To the extent feasible, a federal election and a state
  election shall be held separately and concurrently using the same
  precincts and polling locations.
         Sec. 21.003.  RULES. (a) The secretary of state shall adopt
  rules to enact this subtitle.
         (b)  The rules adopted under this section must reduce voter
  disruption and confusion to the greatest extent possible, including
  rules requiring use of the same area in which voters are being
  accepted for voting and the same voting stations for state and
  federal elections.
  CHAPTER 22. VOTER REGISTRATION FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS
         Sec. 22.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "military
  service voter" means:
               (1)  a member of the armed forces of the United States;
               (2)  a member of the merchant marine of the United
  States;
               (3)  a member of the Texas National Guard;
               (4)  a member of the National Guard of another state
  serving on active duty under an order of the president of the United
  States;
               (5)  a member of a reserve component of the armed forces
  of the United States serving on active duty under an order of the
  president of the United States or activated on state orders; or
               (6)  a spouse or dependent of a member of a military
  organization listed in Subdivisions (1) through (5).
         Sec. 22.002.  ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS. To
  be eligible to vote in a federal election in this state, a person
  must:
               (1)  be a qualified voter as defined by Section 11.002
  on the day the person offers to vote; or
               (2)  meet all requirements for voter eligibility under
  federal law and:
                     (A)  meet all of the requirements to be a
  qualified voter under Section 11.002 except the requirement under
  Section 11.002(a)(6) that the person be a registered voter under
  Subtitle A, and be:
                           (i)  a military service voter; or
                           (ii)  domiciled in this state but
  temporarily living outside the territorial limits of the United
  States and the District of Columbia; or
                     (B)  be unable to complete the registration
  requirements under Subtitle A.
         Sec. 22.003.  REGISTRATION FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS. (a) If
  the United States Congress enacts legislation that allows a voter
  to be eligible to register to vote under this subtitle when the same
  voter would be ineligible to register to vote under Subtitle A, the
  secretary of state shall create and maintain a procedure by which a
  person eligible under Section 22.002 may submit an application to
  register to vote under this subtitle. The procedure under this
  section must comply with all federal laws for voter registration.
         (b)  A person who submits an application for registration
  under Chapter 13 that does not comply with all requirements under
  Subtitle A but does comply with all requirements under federal law
  shall be registered to vote under this subtitle.
         (c)  A person registered to vote under Subsection (b) who
  submits an application for registration under Chapter 13 that is
  accepted becomes registered to vote under Subtitle A.
  CHAPTER 23. CONDUCT OF FEDERAL ELECTIONS
         Sec. 23.001.  CREATION OF FEDERAL BALLOT. The authority
  preparing a ballot for a concurrent federal and state election
  shall prepare a separate federal ballot for voters registered under
  this subtitle.
         Sec. 23.002.  BALLOT RECEIVED BY VOTER IN FEDERAL ELECTION.
  (a) A voter registered to vote under Subtitle A may vote a full
  ballot containing propositions and candidates for office in state
  and federal elections.
         (b)  A voter registered to vote under this subtitle may only
  vote a federal ballot.
         Sec. 23.003.  OTHER CONDUCT. (a) Voting, tabulation, and
  reporting procedures for a state election shall be conducted under
  the provisions of this code.
         (b)  To the extent possible, voting, tabulation, and
  reporting procedures for a federal election shall be conducted
  under the provisions of this code.
         (c)  To the extent that federal law conflicts with a
  provision of this code regarding voting, tabulation, and reporting
  procedures for a federal election, those procedures shall be
  conducted under the provisions of the applicable federal law.
         SECTION 7.  Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is
  amended by adding Section 41.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 41.003.  GENERAL ELECTION FOR FEDERAL OFFICERS. (a)
  The general election for federal officers shall be held on the first
  Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
         (b)  To the extent feasible, the general election for federal
  officers shall be held concurrently with the general election for
  state and county officers.
         SECTION 8.  The heading to Section 41.007, Election Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 41.007.  PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR STATE AND COUNTY
  OFFICERS.
         SECTION 9.  Sections 41.007(a) and (d), Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The general primary election date for state and county
  officers is the first Tuesday in March in each even-numbered year.
         (d)  No [other] election other than a primary election for
  federal officers may be held on the date of a primary election.
         SECTION 10.  Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Election Code, is
  amended by adding Section 41.0075 to read as follows:
         Sec. 41.0075.  PRIMARY ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICERS. (a)
  The primary election date for federal officers is the first Tuesday
  in March in each even-numbered year.
         (b)  The runoff primary election date for federal officers is
  the fourth Tuesday in May following the primary election for
  federal officers.
         (c)  To the extent feasible, the primary election for federal
  officers shall be held concurrently with the primary election for
  state and county officers.
         SECTION 11.  Section 42.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The county election precincts are the election
  precincts for the following elections:
               (1)  the general election for state and county
  officers;
               (2)  a special election ordered by the governor;
               (3)  a primary election;
               (4)  a countywide election ordered by the commissioners
  court, county judge, or other county authority, except an election
  subject to Section 42.062(2); [and]
               (5)  a federal election; and
               (6)  as provided by Section 42.0621, any other election
  held by a political subdivision on a uniform election date.
         SECTION 12.  Section 67.010(a), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The county election returns for an election for a
  statewide office other than governor or lieutenant governor, a
  statewide measure, a district office, a federal office, or
  president and vice-president of the United States shall be
  canvassed by the governor.
         SECTION 13.  Section 84.014, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 84.014.  ACTION BY EARLY VOTING CLERK ON CERTAIN
  APPLICATIONS. If an applicant provides a date of birth, driver's
  license number, or social security number on the applicant's
  application for an early voting ballot to be voted by mail that is
  different from or in addition to the information maintained by the
  voter registrar in accordance with Subtitle A, Title 2, the early
  voting clerk shall notify the voter registrar. The voter registrar
  shall update the voter's record with the information provided by
  the applicant.
         SECTION 14.  Section 101.052, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (e), (f), and (j) and adding Subsection (n) to
  read as follows:
         (e)  An applicant who otherwise complies with applicable
  requirements is entitled to receive a full ballot to be voted by
  mail under this chapter if:
               (1)  the applicant submits a federal postcard
  application to the early voting clerk on or before the 20th day
  before election day; and
               (2)  the application contains the information that is
  required for registration under Subtitle A, Title 2.
         (f)  The applicant is entitled to receive only a federal
  ballot to be voted by mail under Chapter 114 if:
               (1)  the applicant submits the federal postcard
  application to the early voting clerk after the date provided by
  Subsection (e)(1) and before the deadline for submitting a regular
  application for a ballot to be voted by mail; and
               (2)  the application contains the information that is
  required for registration under Subtitle A, Title 2.
         (j)  If the early voting clerk determines that an application
  that is submitted before the time prescribed by Subsection (e)(1)
  does not contain the information that is required for registration
  under Subtitle A, Title 2, the clerk shall notify the applicant of
  that fact. If the applicant has provided a telephone number or an
  address for receiving mail over the Internet, the clerk shall
  notify the applicant by that medium.
         (n)  A federal postcard application that does not meet the
  requirements of Subtitle A, Title 2, may still constitute
  registration for federal elections if the federal postcard
  application meets the requirements of Subtitle B, Title 2.
         SECTION 15.  Section 101.053(b), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  If an applicant provides a date of birth, driver's
  license number, or social security number on the applicant's
  federal postcard application that is different from or in addition
  to the information maintained by the voter registrar in accordance
  with Subtitle A, Title 2, the early voting clerk shall notify the
  voter registrar. The voter registrar shall update the voter's
  record with the information provided by the applicant.
         SECTION 16.  Section 101.055, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  The submission of a federal postcard application that
  complies with the [applicable] requirements of Subtitle A, Title 2,
  by an unregistered applicant constitutes registration by the
  applicant:
               (1)  for the purpose of voting in the election for state
  and county officers for which a ballot is requested; and
               (2)  under Subtitle A, Title 2, if the federal postcard
  application complies with the requirements under that subtitle,
  unless the person indicates on the application that the person is
  residing outside the United States indefinitely.
         (a-1)  The submission of a federal postcard application that
  complies with the requirements of Subtitle B, Title 2, by an
  unregistered applicant constitutes registration by the applicant:
               (1)  for the purpose of voting in the election for
  federal officers for which a ballot is requested; and
               (2)  under Subtitle B, Title 2, if the federal postcard
  application complies with the requirements under that subtitle,
  unless the person indicates on the application that the person is
  residing outside the United States indefinitely.
         SECTION 17.  Section 142.005, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 142.005.  AUTHORITY WITH WHOM APPLICATION FILED. An
  application for a place on the ballot must be filed with:
               (1)  the secretary of state, for a federal, statewide,
  or district office; or
               (2)  the county judge, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 18.  Section 145.033, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 145.033.  AUTHORITY WITH WHOM WITHDRAWAL REQUEST FILED.
  A candidate must file a withdrawal request with:
               (1)  the secretary of state, for a federal, statewide,
  or district office; or
               (2)  the authority responsible for having the official
  ballot prepared, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 19.  Section 145.037(d), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  The chair must deliver the certification to:
               (1)  the secretary of state, for a federal, statewide,
  or district office; or
               (2)  the authority responsible for having the official
  ballot prepared, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 20.  Section 146.024, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 146.024.  AUTHORITY WITH WHOM DECLARATION FILED. A
  declaration of write-in candidacy must be filed with:
               (1)  the secretary of state, for a federal, statewide,
  or district office; or
               (2)  the county judge, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 21.  The heading to Section 161.008, Election Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 161.008.  CERTIFICATION OF NOMINEES FOR FEDERAL,
  STATEWIDE, AND DISTRICT OFFICES FOR PLACEMENT ON GENERAL ELECTION
  BALLOT.
         SECTION 22.  Section 161.008(a), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the secretary of
  state shall certify in writing for placement on the general
  election ballot the name of each candidate nominated at a primary
  election or convention of a political party for a federal,
  statewide, or district office.
         SECTION 23.  Section 163.006(d), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  Before January 15 of each year in which political
  parties hold precinct conventions under this title, the secretary
  of state shall deliver written notice of the requirements of this
  section to the state chair of each party that had a nominee for a
  federal, statewide, or district office on the most recent general
  election ballot.
         SECTION 24.  Section 172.059(b), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A withdrawal request for the runoff primary must be
  filed with the state chair, for a federal, statewide, or district
  office, or with the county chair, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 25.  The heading to Section 172.121, Election Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 172.121.  CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL,
  STATEWIDE, AND DISTRICT OFFICES FOR PLACEMENT ON RUNOFF BALLOT.
         SECTION 26.  Section 172.121(a), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The state chair shall certify on the secretary of
  state's website for placement on the runoff primary election ballot
  the name of each general primary candidate for a federal,
  statewide, or district office who is to be a candidate in the
  runoff.
         SECTION 27.  The heading to Section 172.122, Election Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 172.122.  CERTIFICATION OF NOMINEES WHO FILED AN
  APPLICATION FOR A PLACE ON THE BALLOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL
  REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL, STATEWIDE, AND DISTRICT OFFICES TO
  SECRETARY OF STATE.
         SECTION 28.  Section 172.122(a), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The state chair shall certify by posting on the
  secretary of state's website the name and address of each primary
  candidate who is nominated for a federal, statewide, or district
  office. The state chair shall execute and file digitally with the
  secretary of state an affidavit certifying that the returns posted
  on the secretary of state's website are the correct and complete
  returns. The secretary of state shall adopt by rule a process to
  allow the chair to submit the affidavit digitally.
         SECTION 29.  Section 173.063, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 173.063.  FEE RETAINED BY STATE CHAIR. The state chair
  shall deposit in the state primary fund each filing fee
  accompanying an application for a place on the ballot filed with the
  state chair:
               (1)  for a federal office;
               (1-a) for a statewide office; or
               (2)  for a district office if the application is filed
  after the regular filing deadline.
         SECTION 30.  Section 181.0311(a), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to any other requirements, to be considered
  for nomination by convention, a candidate must:
               (1)  pay a filing fee to the secretary of state for a
  federal, statewide, or district office or the county judge for a
  county or precinct office; or
               (2)  submit to the secretary of state for a federal,
  statewide, or district office or the county judge for a county or
  precinct office a petition in lieu of a filing fee that satisfies
  the requirements prescribed by Subsection (e) and Section 141.062.
         SECTION 31.  Section 181.032(a), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  An application for nomination by a convention must be
  filed with:
               (1)  the state chair, for a federal, statewide, or
  district office; or
               (2)  the county chair, for a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 32.  Section 181.068(b), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Not later than the 20th day after the date of the
  convention making the nomination, the presiding officer shall
  deliver the certification to:
               (1)  the authority responsible for having the official
  general election ballot prepared in the county, for certification
  of a county or precinct office; or
               (2)  the secretary of state, for certification of a
  federal, statewide, or district office.
         SECTION 33.  Sections 231.008(b) and (c), Election Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  If the judgment in a contest for an office affects the
  preparation of the ballot for a succeeding election, the clerk
  shall deliver a copy to the authority responsible for having the
  official ballot prepared or, in the case of a federal, statewide, or
  district office, to the authority responsible for certifying the
  names of the candidates for placement on the ballot.
         (c)  If the judgment orders that a new general or special
  election be held, the clerk shall deliver a copy to the authority
  responsible for ordering the election. If the judgment orders a new
  primary election, the clerk shall deliver a copy to the state chair
  of the appropriate political party, in the case of a federal,
  statewide, or district office, or to the county chair, in the case
  of a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 34.  Section 232.013(d), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  If the contested election is a primary, the district
  clerk shall deliver a certified copy of the order setting the date
  of the runoff to the state chair of the political party in the case
  of a federal, statewide, or district office or to the county chair
  in the case of a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 35.  Section 232.048(c), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The candidate receiving the most votes in a new election
  ordered by a court in a primary election contest is the political
  party's nominee, regardless of whether the candidate receives a
  majority vote, if the date of the final canvass of the court-ordered
  primary is on or after:
               (1)  the 85th day before the date of the succeeding
  general election in the case of a federal, statewide, or district
  office; or
               (2)  the 75th day before the date of the succeeding
  general election in the case of a county or precinct office.
         SECTION 36.  Section 252.005, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 252.005.  AUTHORITY WITH WHOM APPOINTMENT FILED:
  CANDIDATE. An individual must file a campaign treasurer appointment
  for the individual's own candidacy with:
               (1)  the commission, if the appointment is made for
  candidacy for:
                     (A)  a federal office;
                     (A-1)  a statewide office;
                     (B)  a district office filled by voters of more
  than one county;
                     (C)  a judicial district office filled by voters
  of only one county;
                     (D)  state senator;
                     (E)  state representative; or
                     (F)  the State Board of Education;
               (2)  the county clerk, if the appointment is made for
  candidacy for a county office, a precinct office, or a district
  office other than one included in Subdivision (1);
               (3)  the clerk or secretary of the governing body of the
  political subdivision or, if the political subdivision has no clerk
  or secretary, with the governing body's presiding officer, if the
  appointment is made for candidacy for an office of a political
  subdivision other than a county;
               (4)  the county clerk if:
                     (A)  the appointment is made for candidacy for an
  office of a political subdivision other than a county;
                     (B)  the governing body for the political
  subdivision has not been formed; and
                     (C)  no boundary of the political subdivision
  crosses a boundary of the county; or
               (5)  the commission if:
                     (A)  the appointment is made for candidacy for an
  office of a political subdivision other than a county;
                     (B)  the governing body for the political
  subdivision has not been formed; and
                     (C)  the political subdivision is situated in more
  than one county.
         SECTION 37.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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