reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Elec COde § 127.009 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter A. Establishment and Organization of Central Counting Station|Section 127.009. Electronic Devices in Central Counting Station

Sec. 127.009.  ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CENTRAL COUNTING STATION.  (a)  A counting station manager and the presiding judge of the counting station shall develop a protocol under which any electronic device inside a central counting station that is necessary to count votes is equipped with software that tracks all input and activity on the electronic device.(b)  The counting station manager and the presiding judge of the counting station shall ensure that the input and activity tracked by the software is delivered to the secretary of state not later than the fifth day after vote counting is complete.(c)  This section applies only to a central counting station located in a county with a population of 250,000 or more.|Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 3.17, eff. December 2, 2021.|
TX Elec COde § 127.061 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.061. Sealed Ballot Boxes Required

Sec. 127.061.  SEALED BALLOT BOXES REQUIRED.  Sealed ballot boxes shall be used to deliver electronic system ballots from the polling place to the central counting station in accordance with this subchapter.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1054, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.|
TX Elec COde § 127.063 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.063. Design of Ballot Box

Sec. 127.063.  DESIGN OF BALLOT BOX.  A sealed ballot box used under this subchapter must be equipped with a lock to prevent opening the box without a key and designed and constructed so that:(1)  the ballots can be deposited and delivered without damage that will render them unfit for processing in automatic tabulating equipment;(2)  the box can be sealed to detect any unauthorized opening of the box;  and(3)  the slot used by voters to deposit ballots can be sealed to prevent any unauthorized deposit in the box.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.064 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.064. Seals for Ballot Boxes

Sec. 127.064.  SEALS FOR BALLOT BOXES.  (a)  A seal shall be provided for each ballot box used under this subchapter.(b)  The seals for the boxes must be serially numbered for each election.(c)  The authority responsible for distributing election supplies to the polling places shall prepare a record of the serial numbers of the seals and preserve the record for the period for preserving the precinct election records.  The authority shall provide each central counting station with a copy of the record before ballots are delivered to the station for processing.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.065 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.065. Sealing Ballot Box; Delivery to Polling Place

Sec. 127.065.  SEALING BALLOT BOX;  DELIVERY TO POLLING PLACE.  (a)  An adequate number of sealed ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place at which sealed boxes are to be used.(b)  Before the ballot boxes are delivered to the polling places, the authority responsible for distributing election supplies to the polling places shall inspect and empty each box.  The authority shall then lock the empty box and seal it so that the box cannot be opened without breaking the seal.(c)  Once sealed, the ballot boxes may not be opened except as provided by Section 127.068.(d)  After the ballot boxes are locked and sealed, the authority responsible for distributing election supplies shall have the ballot boxes delivered to the polling places and have the keys delivered to the presiding judge of the central counting station.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.066 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.066. Sealing Deposit Slot; Delivery of Sealed Ballot Box to Counting Station

Sec. 127.066.  SEALING DEPOSIT SLOT;  DELIVERY OF SEALED BALLOT BOX TO COUNTING STATION.  (a)  Immediately on completion of voting at a polling place using sealed ballot boxes or, if the presiding judge inactivates a sealed ballot box before completion of voting, immediately on inactivation, an election officer shall seal the deposit slot in each box so that nothing can be deposited through the slot without breaking the seal.(b)  The presiding judge, an election clerk, and not more than two watchers, if one or more watchers are present, shall sign the seal.  The watchers must be of opposing interests if such watchers are present.(c)  After the box is sealed, it shall be delivered to the central counting station by two election officers. The officers shall deliver the box to the presiding judge of the central counting station or to the judge's designee.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Elec COde § 127.067 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.067. Disposition of Election Records

Sec. 127.067.  DISPOSITION OF ELECTION RECORDS.  (a)  An election officer shall place the precinct election records in the appropriate envelopes or other containers provided for that purpose.(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the precinct election records shall be delivered to the presiding judge of the central counting station with the delivery of the last sealed ballot box.(c)  The appropriate election records shall be retained by the presiding judge or placed in ballot box no. 4, as applicable, in the same manner as for a polling place using regular paper ballots.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.068 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.068. Receiving Sealed Ballot Box at Counting Station

Sec. 127.068.  RECEIVING SEALED BALLOT BOX AT COUNTING STATION.  (a)  On receipt of a sealed ballot box, the presiding judge of the central counting station or the judge's designee shall give a signed receipt for the box to one of the delivering officers.  The presiding judge at the polling place shall preserve the receipt for the period for preserving the precinct election records.(b)  Before opening the ballot box, the presiding judge of the counting station or the judge's designee shall inspect the box, the seal of the box, and the seal of the deposit slot to determine if they are intact and shall determine if the serial number on the seal of the box corresponds with the number indicated on the record of serial numbers at the counting station.  If the box and both seals are intact and the serial numbers correspond, the judge or designee shall break the seals, unlock the lock, and open the box.(c)  If any irregularities are discovered, the presiding judge shall take appropriate action in accordance with procedures prescribed by the secretary of state.(d)  The presiding judge of the counting station shall preserve both seals for the period for preserving the precinct election records.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 91, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Elec COde § 127.069 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter C. Sealed Ballot Boxes|Section 127.069. Sorting Ballots

Sec. 127.069.  SORTING BALLOTS.  (a)  After opening a sealed ballot box, the presiding judge of the central counting station shall sort the damaged ballots, the ballots containing write-in votes, and any other ballots requiring special handling and place them in the appropriate envelopes or other containers provided for that purpose.(b)  After the ballots are sorted, the presiding judge shall deliver them to the manager of the central counting station.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.091 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.091. Test of Tabulating Equipment Required

Sec. 127.091.  TEST OF TABULATING EQUIPMENT REQUIRED.  The automatic tabulating equipment used for counting ballots at a central counting station shall be tested as provided by this subchapter.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.092 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.092. Testing Authorities

Sec. 127.092.  TESTING AUTHORITIES.  The programmer, tabulation supervisor, counting station manager, and presiding judge of the central counting station shall prepare and conduct the test jointly.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.093 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.093. Times for Conducting Test

Sec. 127.093.  TIMES FOR CONDUCTING TEST.  (a)  The test shall be conducted three times for each election.(b)  The first test shall be conducted at least 48 hours before the automatic tabulating equipment is used to count ballots voted in the election.(c)  The second test shall be conducted immediately before the counting of ballots with the equipment begins.(d)  The third test shall be conducted immediately after the counting of ballots with the equipment is completed.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.094 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.094. Design of Test

Sec. 127.094.  DESIGN OF TEST.  (a)  The test must be designed to determine whether the automatic tabulating equipment accurately counts ballots and otherwise functions properly.(b)  A group of test ballots shall be counted with the equipment using the program prepared for processing the ballots voted in the election.  The test ballots must be printed on the same stock as the official ballots for the election.(c)  The group of test ballots must contain a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition on the ballot for the election.  The test group must also contain ballots with votes in excess of the allowable number and with other improper votes.(d)  The same test shall be administered each time the equipment is tested for the same election.(e)  The secretary of state may prescribe additional requirements for the test.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.095 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.095. Determining Success of Test

Sec. 127.095.  DETERMINING SUCCESS OF TEST.  (a)  A test is successful if a perfect count of the test ballots is obtained and the automatic tabulating equipment otherwise functions properly during the counting of the test ballots.(b)  The testing authorities shall determine whether a test is successful.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.096 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.096. Conduct of First Test

Sec. 127.096.  CONDUCT OF FIRST TEST.  (a)  The custodian of the automatic tabulating equipment shall publish notice of the date, hour, and place of the test conducted under Section 127.093(b) in a newspaper, as provided by general law for official publications by political subdivisions, at least 48 hours before the date of the test.(a-1)  If the test is being conducted for a primary election, the custodian of the automatic tabulating equipment shall notify the county chair of the test at least 48 hours before the date of the test.  The county chair shall confirm receipt of the notice.(b)  The test is open to the public.(c)  The automatic tabulating equipment may not be used to count ballots voted in the election until a test is successful.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 50, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 828 (H.B. 1735), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2017.|
TX Elec COde § 127.097 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.097. Conduct of Second Test

Sec. 127.097.  CONDUCT OF SECOND TEST.  (a)  The automatic tabulating equipment may not be used to count ballots voted in the election until a test conducted under Section 127.093(c) is successful.(b)  If the initial test is unsuccessful, the presiding judge shall prepare a written record of the changes to the program, adjustments to the equipment, and other actions taken to achieve a successful test.  The record shall be retained with the test materials.(c)  When a test is successful, the presiding judge shall certify in writing that a test was successful and the date and hour the test was completed.  The certification shall be retained with the test materials.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.098 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.098. Conduct of Third Test; Void Ballot Count

Sec. 127.098.  CONDUCT OF THIRD TEST;  VOID BALLOT COUNT.  (a)  If the initial test conducted under Section 127.093(d) is unsuccessful, the count of ballots voted in the election obtained with the automatic tabulating equipment is void.(b)  If the initial test is successful, the automatic count of ballots voted in the election is valid for the purpose of certifying the election returns prepared at the central counting station.  The presiding judge shall certify in writing that the initial test was successful and the date and hour the test was completed.  The certification shall be retained with the test materials.(c)  If the ballot count is void under Subsection (a), the testing authorities shall follow the procedure prescribed by Section 127.097.  When a test is successful, the ballots to be counted automatically shall immediately be counted.  Immediately on completing the automatic count, the equipment shall again be tested, and if the initial test is successful the automatic count is valid for the purpose of certifying the election returns.  Otherwise, the automatic ballot count is void.(d)  The procedure prescribed by Subsection (c) shall be repeated until a valid automatic count is obtained or the testing authorities determine that obtaining a valid automatic count is impracticable.  In that case, the ballots shall be counted manually.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.099 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.099. Security of Test Materials

Sec. 127.099.  SECURITY OF TEST MATERIALS.  (a)  On completing each test, the presiding judge shall place the test ballots and other test materials in a container provided for that purpose and seal the container so it cannot be opened without breaking the seal.  The manager, tabulation supervisor, presiding judge, and not more than two watchers, if one or more watchers are present, shall sign the seal.  The watchers must be of opposing interests if such watchers are present.(b)  The test materials shall remain sealed for the period for preserving the precinct election records.(c)  The container may not be unsealed unless the contents are necessary to conduct a test under this subchapter, a criminal investigation, election contest, or other official proceeding under this code.  If the container is unsealed, the authority in charge of the proceeding shall reseal the contents when not in use.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.100 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter D. Testing Tabulating Equipment|Section 127.100. Custody of Test Materials

Sec. 127.100.  CUSTODY OF TEST MATERIALS.  (a)  The presiding judge is the custodian of the test materials until they are delivered under Subsection (b).(b)  The sealed container holding the test materials shall be delivered to the general custodian of election records with the delivery of the election returns prepared at the counting station.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.121 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter E. Processing Results at Central Counting Station|Section 127.121. Programmer for Tabulating Equipment

Sec. 127.121.  PROGRAMMER FOR TABULATING EQUIPMENT.  (a)  If the automatic tabulating equipment to be used for counting ballots at a central counting station requires the preparation of a program, the authority responsible for having the ballot prepared for the election shall appoint a programmer.(b)  Any person who has the competence required to prepare the program is eligible for appointment.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.122 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter E. Processing Results at Central Counting Station|Section 127.122. Approval of Program

Sec. 127.122.  APPROVAL OF PROGRAM.  If a person other than the tabulation supervisor is appointed as the programmer, the program shall be submitted to the tabulation supervisor for approval not later than the 10th day before the date the automatic tabulating equipment for which the program is prepared is first used to count ballots voted in the election.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.123 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter E. Processing Results at Central Counting Station|Section 127.123. Security of Program

Sec. 127.123.  SECURITY OF PROGRAM.  (a)  The tabulation supervisor shall protect the program prepared for the automatic tabulating equipment installed at the central counting station from tampering and unauthorized use, as prescribed by the secretary of state.(b)  After the automatic counting of ballots is completed, the program shall be sealed in the container for the secured test materials.  The program shall remain in the sealed container for the same period as the test materials and may be unsealed only under the same conditions as the test materials.(c)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for the security of programs for central counting station equipment for which compliance with this section is impracticable.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 127.1231 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter E. Processing Results at Central Counting Station|Section 127.1231. Security of Automatic Tabulating Equipment

Sec. 127.1231.  SECURITY OF AUTOMATIC TABULATING EQUIPMENT.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the general custodian of election records shall ensure that any computer terminals located outside the central counting station that are capable of accessing the automatic tabulating equipment during the tabulation are capable of inquiry functions only and shall ensure that no modem access to the tabulating equipment is available during the tabulation.(b)  The secretary of state may prescribe procedures for the use of a system to allow results to be transmitted by a modem to the central counting station from units of automatic tabulating equipment located at a precinct polling place or at a regional tabulating center serving several precincts.  The system must provide for a secure transmission of data.  Results may not be transmitted under this subsection until the polls close on election day.|Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Elec COde § 127.1232 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 8 - Voting Systems|Chapter 127 - Processing Electronic Voting System Results|Subchapter E. Processing Results at Central Counting Station|Section 127.1232. Security of Voted Ballots

Sec. 127.1232.  SECURITY OF VOTED BALLOTS.  (a)  The general custodian of election records shall post a licensed peace officer to ensure the security of ballot boxes containing voted ballots throughout the period of tabulation at the central counting station.(b)  The general custodian of election records in a county with a population of 100,000 or more shall implement a video surveillance system that retains a record of all areas containing voted ballots:(1)  from the time the voted ballots are delivered to the central counting station until the canvass of precinct election returns; and(2)  from the time the voted ballots are delivered to the signature verification committee or early voting ballot board until the canvass of precinct election returns.(c)  A video from a system implemented under Subsection (b) shall be made available to the public by a livestream.(d)  The video recorded is an election record under Section 1.012 and shall be retained by the general custodian of election records until the end of the calendar year in which an election is held or until an election contest filed in the county has been resolved, whichever is later.|Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 3.18, eff. December 2, 2021.|