HB342 - Relating to the combination of certain election precincts.

  89R904 MPF-F     By: Hayes, Cook, Hopper H.B. No. 342       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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 500 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)     County election precincts in a county with a population   of not less than 250,000 may also be combined under Subsection (a)   if the changes result in county election precincts with not fewer   than 500 and not more than 750 registered voters.           (c)     A combined precinct under Subsection (a) or (b) is   subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under   Section 42.006.           (d)  [ (a-1) ]  In a general or special election for which use   of county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court   of 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 may, on the recommendation of the county election   board, 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.           (e)  [ (c) ]  A combined precinct under Subsection (d) [ this   section ] may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.           (f)  [ (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.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.