HBA-CMT, JEK H.B. 563 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 563
By: Madden
Elections
4/3/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Over the past several years, there has been decrease in the percentage of
registered voters casting votes. Accessibility to polling places and
cynicism about the election process are two possible reasons for the
decrease. In high growth areas, polling locations can change repeatedly
from one election to the next. House Bill 563 ensures that all voters have
ready access to information about the locations of polling places.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 563 amends the Election Code to require an authority responsible
for giving notice of an election to, if possible, post notice at the
entrance of a previous polling place if the location of the polling place
has changed since the last election ordered by the same authority.  The
notice is to state both that the location of the polling place has changed
as well as the location of the new polling place.  The bill requires an
election officer to provide detailed poll location information to voters to
assist voters in determining the correct polling place location if the
information is available at a polling place through a computer. 

The bill also requires the presiding judge of an election precinct to take
the appropriate steps to provide for the security of any polling place that
is left unattended after preparations for voting begin and before the polls
open.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.