TITLE: Relating to electioneering near a polling place; creating a criminal offense.

SUMMARY: Relating to electioneering near a polling place; creating a criminal offense.

FULL TEXT:
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.