Highlights of the 79th Texas Legislature - Senate

STATE AFFAIRS/ELECTIONS
Tampering with Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines—H.B. 56
By Representative Denny et al.—Senate Sponsor: Senator Ellis
Current law imposing penalties for election fraud refers to ballots. However, Direct Recording Equipment (DRE)
voting machines do not have physical ballots because the information is stored electronically. It is unclear whether
offenses relating to tampering with ballot boxes would apply to tampering with DRE voting systems. This bill:
Makes it a first degree felony for a person to knowingly access a DRE voting to affect the casting of votes.
Makes it a third degree felony if a person attempts, but fails, to violate this Act.
Uniform Election Dates—H.B. 57
By Representatives Denny and Branch—Senate Sponsor: Senator Jackson
Current Texas law requires most elections to be held on one of four uniform election dates. According to the Texas
Secretary of State, less than three percent of political subdivisions in the state hold elections on the uniform dates in
February and September. These extra elections generally have low participation and are costly to taxpayers.
Additionally, concerns have been expressed by those who administer elections about the timing of the May uniform
election date and some of the procedures related to that election day. This bill:
Reduces the authorized dates from four to two, leaving May and November.
Removes the exceptions for school and college district bond elections.
Moves the May uniform election date from the first to the second Saturday and modifies procedures related to the
May date.
Electronically Readable Information on Driver's License in an Election—H.B. 178
By Representative Denny—Senate Sponsor: Senator Averitt
The 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, adopted S.B. 1445, which specified individuals who were permitted to
access or use the electronically readable information contained on a driver's license. This bill:
Permits an election officer to access electronically readable information on a driver's license or personal identification
card for proof of identification when determining whether a voter shall be accepted for voting.
Requires the secretary of state to prescribe necessary procedures to implement this Act.
Barring Sound Amplification Devices Near a Polling Place—H.B. 535
By Representative Madden et al.—Senate Sponsor: Senator Williams
Current law prohibits operating a vehicle with a loudspeaker for the purposes of campaigning within 1,000 feet of a
polling place. However, the use of other sound amplification devices, such as bullhorns, within 1,000 feet of a polling
place is not prohibited. This bill:
HIGHLIGHTS - 79 TH TEXAS LEGISLATURE 217