HB5613 - Relating to electioneering near a polling place; creating a criminal offense.

      By: Toth H.B. No. 5613       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to electioneering near a polling place; creating a   criminal offense.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.003, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-2) to read as   follows:          (a)  A person commits an offense if, during the voting period   and within 100 feet of an outside door through which a voter may   enter the building in which a polling place is located and is   designated by the presiding judge as the single point of entry , the   person:                (1)  loiters; or                (2)  electioneers for or against any candidate,   measure, or political party.           (a-2)     A person commits an offense if, during the voting   period, the person prohibits electioneering outside the area   described in Subsection (a), including electioneering outside that   area and on the premises of a building in which a polling place is   located.          SECTION 2.  Section 61.010(a), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not   wear a badge, insignia, emblem, or other similar communicative   device relating to a candidate, measure, or political party   appearing on the ballot, or to the conduct of the election, in the   polling place or within 100 feet of the [ any ] outside door through   which a voter may enter the building in which the polling place is   located designated by the presiding judge as the single point of   entry under Section 61.003(a) .          SECTION 3.  Section 62.013(a), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  An election officer commits an offense if the officer   knowingly posts at a polling place, including the area within 100   feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building   in which the polling place is located designated by the presiding   judge as the single point of entry under Section 61.003(a) , a sign,   card, poster, or other similar material that:                (1)  is not authorized or required by law; or                (2)  is in a form or contains information that is not   authorized or required by law.          SECTION 4.  Section 85.036(a), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  During the time an early voting polling place is open   for the conduct of early voting, a person may not electioneer for or   against any candidate, measure, or political party in or within 100   feet of an outside door through which a voter may enter the building   or structure in which the early voting polling place is located and   is designated by the presiding judge as the single point of entry   under Section 61.003(a) .          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025..