Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes certain individuals to be present at polling places on election day while a judge certifies the election results.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a person to be lawfully present in a polling place during the time if the person is (Sec. 1.a-1):

• An election judge or clerk;

• A watcher;

• The secretary of state;

• A staff member of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State performing an official duty in accordance with this code;

• An election official, a sheriff, or a staff member of an election official or sheriff delivering election supplies;

• A state inspector;

• A person admitted to vote;

• A child under 18 years of age who is accompanying a parent who has been admitted to vote;

• A person providing assistance to a voter;

• A person accompanying a voter who has a disability;

• A special peace officer appointed by the presiding judge;

• The county chair of a political party conducting a primary election;

• A voting system technician;

• The county election officer, as necessary to perform tasks related to the administration of the election; or

• A person whose presence has been authorized by the presiding judge.

• Authorizes a person to be lawfully present in the meeting place of an early voting ballot board during the time of the board ’s operations if the person is (Sec. 2.b):

• A presiding judge or member of the board;

• A watcher;

• A state inspector;

• A voting system technician;

• The county election officer,, as necessary to perform tasks related to the administration of the election; or

• A person whose presence has been authorized by the presiding judge.

• Prohibits a person from being in a central counting station while ballots are being counted (Sec. 3.a).

• Authorizes a person to be lawfully present in the central counting station while ballots are being counted if the person is (Sec. 3.b):

• A counting station manager, tabulation supervisor, assistant to the tabulation supervisor, presiding judge, or clerk;

• A watcher;

• A state inspector;

• A voting system technician;

• The county election officer, as necessary to perform tasks related to the administration of the election; or

• A person whose presence has been authorized by the counting station manager in accordance with this code.

Full Bill Text