reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Elec COde § 31.001 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.001. Chief Election Officer

Sec. 31.001.  CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.  (a)  The secretary of state is the chief election officer of the state.(b)  The secretary shall establish in the secretary's office an elections division with an adequate staff to enable the secretary to perform the secretary's duties as chief election officer.  The secretary may assign to the elections division staff any function relating to the administration of elections that is under the secretary's jurisdiction.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.|
TX Elec COde § 31.002 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.002. Official Forms

Sec. 31.002.  OFFICIAL FORMS.  (a)  The secretary of state shall prescribe the design and content, consistent with this code, of the forms necessary for the administration of this code other than Title 15.  The design and content must enhance the ability of a person to understand the applicable requirements and to physically furnish the required information in the space provided.(b)  The secretary shall furnish samples of the forms to:(1)  the appropriate authorities who have administrative duties under this code;  and(2)  other persons who request a form for duplication.(c)  The samples of forms shall be furnished without charge.(d)  An authority having administrative duties under this code shall use an official form in performing the administrative functions, except in an emergency in which an official form is unavailable or as otherwise provided by this code.  Other persons are not required to use an official form unless expressly required to do so by this code.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 797, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 5.08, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.|
TX Elec COde § 31.0021 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.0021. Certain Official Forms: Inclusion of Nepotism Information

Sec. 31.0021.  CERTAIN OFFICIAL FORMS:  INCLUSION OF NEPOTISM INFORMATION.  (a)  On forms designed and furnished by the secretary of state for an application for a place on the ballot, the secretary shall include a brief summary of:(1)  the nepotism prohibition imposed by Chapter 573, Government Code; and(2)  a list of the specific kinds of relatives that are included within the prohibited degrees of relationship prescribed by Chapter 573, Government Code.(b)  Any other authority that designs and furnishes an application for a place on the ballot shall include on that form the same summary included on forms prescribed by the secretary of state under Subsection (a).|Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 427, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(25), eff. Sept. 1, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1107 (H.B. 2309), Sec. 1.09, eff. September 1, 2005.|
TX Elec COde § 31.003 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.003. Uniformity

Sec. 31.003.  UNIFORMITY.  The secretary of state shall obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, operation, and interpretation of this code and of the election laws outside this code.  In performing this duty, the secretary shall prepare detailed and comprehensive written directives and instructions relating to and based on this code and the election laws outside this code.  The secretary shall distribute these materials to the appropriate state and local authorities having duties in the administration of these laws.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 31.004 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.004. Assistance and Advice

Sec. 31.004.  ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE.  (a)  The secretary of state shall assist and advise all election authorities with regard to the application, operation, and interpretation of this code and of the election laws outside this code.(b)  The secretary shall maintain an informational service for answering inquiries of election authorities relating to the administration of the election laws or the performance of their duties.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.|
TX Elec COde § 31.005 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.005. Protection of Voting Rights; Enforcement

Sec. 31.005.  PROTECTION OF VOTING RIGHTS; ENFORCEMENT.  (a)  The secretary of state may take appropriate action to protect the voting rights of the citizens of this state from abuse by the authorities administering the state's electoral processes.(b)  The secretary of state may order a person performing official functions in the administration of any part of the electoral processes to correct offending conduct if the secretary determines that the person is exercising the powers vested in that person in a manner that:(1)  impedes the free exercise of a citizen's voting rights; or(2)  unless acting under an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, delays or cancels an election that the person does not have specific statutory authority to delay or cancel.(c)  If a person described by Subsection (b) fails to comply with an order from the secretary of state under this section, the secretary may seek enforcement of the order by a temporary restraining order or a writ of injunction or mandamus obtained through the attorney general.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 30, eff. September 1, 2021.Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 31, eff. September 1, 2021.|
TX Elec COde § 31.0055 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.0055. Voting Rights Hotline

Sec. 31.0055.  VOTING RIGHTS HOTLINE.  (a)  The secretary of state shall establish a toll-free telephone number to allow a person to report an existing or potential abuse of voting rights.(b)  A notice informing voters of the telephone number and the purpose for the number shall be included in the notice of voters' rights publicized under Section 62.0115.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 556, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 510 (H.B. 719), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.|
TX Elec COde § 31.006 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.006. Referral to Attorney General

Sec. 31.006.  REFERRAL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.  (a)  If, after receiving or discovering information indicating that criminal conduct in connection with an election has occurred, the secretary of state determines that there is reasonable cause to suspect that criminal conduct occurred, the secretary shall promptly refer the information to the attorney general.  The secretary shall deliver to the attorney general all pertinent documents and information in the secretary's possession.(b)  The documents and information submitted under Subsection (a) are not considered public information until:(1)  the secretary of state makes a determination that the information received does not warrant an investigation; or(2)  if referred to the attorney general, the attorney general has completed the investigation or has made a determination that the information referred does not warrant an investigation.|Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1164 (H.B. 2817), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2011.Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1178 (S.B. 910), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2013.Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 2.08, eff. December 2, 2021.|
TX Elec COde § 31.007 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.007. Suspension of Provisions Implementing National Voter Registration Act

Sec. 31.007.  SUSPENSION OF PROVISIONS IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT.  (a)  If under federal law, order, regulation, or other official action the National Voter Registration Act of 1993  is not required to be implemented or enforced in whole or in part, an affected state law or rule is suspended to the extent that the law or rule was enacted or adopted to implement that Act, and it is the intent of the legislature that the applicable law in effect immediately before the enactment or adoption be reinstated and continued in effect pending enactment of corrective state legislation.(b)  On a finding by the secretary of state that a suspension of a law or rule has occurred under Subsection (a), the secretary may modify applicable procedures as necessary to give effect to the suspension and to reinstatement of the procedures of the former law.(c)  The secretary of state may adopt rules to implement this section as necessary.|Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 797, Sec. 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.|
TX Elec COde § 31.008 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.008. Collection of Information: Forum on Election Cost Savings

Sec. 31.008.  COLLECTION OF INFORMATION:  FORUM ON ELECTION COST SAVINGS.  (a)  The secretary of state shall collect and maintain information on the number of elections held in this state and the administrative costs associated with the elections.(b)  The secretary of state shall conduct an annual forum to allow election officials from political subdivisions to exchange ideas on the administration of elections, including issues related to cost savings and efficiency in the conduct of elections.  The election officials shall be given the opportunity at the forum to make recommendations on proposed changes in the election laws.|Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1219, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 1997.|
TX Elec COde § 31.009 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.009. Distribution of Certain Funds

Sec. 31.009.  DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN FUNDS.  (a)  If federal funds are made available to assist the state in the administration of elections, including assistance for the phasing out or prohibition of the use of punch-card ballot voting systems in this state, or state funds are made available to reimburse political subdivisions for expenses incurred in conducting a special election that is held statewide, the secretary of state shall administer and distribute the funds as appropriate to most effectively facilitate the purposes for which the funds are made available.(b)  The secretary of state shall prescribe any necessary rules and take any appropriate action to implement this section.|Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 537, Sec. 1, eff. June 11, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1182 (H.B. 556), Sec. 1(a), eff. June 15, 2007.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1182 (H.B. 556), Sec. 1(b), eff. June 15, 2007.|
TX Elec COde § 31.010 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.010. Implementation of Federal Help America Vote Act

Sec. 31.010.  IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT.  (a)  The secretary of state may adopt rules as necessary to implement the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.(b)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing state-based administrative complaint procedures to remedy grievances that meet the requirements of Section 402(a) of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Elec COde § 31.011 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.011. Election Improvement Fund

Sec. 31.011.  ELECTION IMPROVEMENT FUND.  (a)  The election improvement fund is created as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund and consists of federal funds designated for election improvement, matching funds from the state or a political subdivision, and depository interest earned on the assets of the fund.(b)  Money in the fund may be appropriated only to provide funding for the following purposes:(1)  to improve election administration at the state and local level;(2)  to make grants to local governments for the improvement or replacement of voting systems;(3)  to create a single uniform official centralized interactive voter registration database;  and(4)  to comply with other election requirements of the federal government.(c)  The fund is exempt from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code.|Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.|
TX Elec COde § 31.012 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.012. Voter Education

Sec. 31.012.  VOTER EDUCATION.  (a)  The secretary of state and the voter registrar of each county that maintains a website shall provide notice of the identification requirements for voting prescribed by Chapter 63 and that straight ticket voting has been eliminated pursuant to H.B. 25, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017 on each entity's respective website in each language in which voter registration and election materials are available.  The secretary of state shall prescribe the wording of the notice to be included on the websites.(b)  The secretary of state shall conduct a statewide effort to educate voters regarding the identification requirements for voting prescribed by Chapter 63.(b-1)  As soon as practicable after September 1, 2020, the secretary of state shall distribute electronically to each county election administrator and the county chair of each political party notice that straight ticket voting has been eliminated pursuant to H.B. 25, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017. (c)  The county clerk of each county shall post in a prominent location at the clerk's office a physical copy of the notice prescribed under Subsection (a) in each language in which voter registration materials are available.(d)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules and establish procedures as necessary for the implementation of the elimination of straight-party voting to ensure that voters and county election administrators are not burdened by the implementation.|Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 123 (S.B. 14), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 404 (H.B. 25), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2020.Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 404 (H.B. 25), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2020.|
TX Elec COde § 31.013 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.013. Mobile Locations for Obtaining Identification

Sec. 31.013.  MOBILE LOCATIONS FOR OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION.  (a)  The secretary of state shall establish a program using mobile units to provide election identification certificates to voters for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of Section 63.001(b).  A mobile unit may be used at special events or at the request of a constituent group.(b)  In establishing the program, the secretary of state shall consult with the Department of Public Safety on the creation of the program, security relating to the issuance of an election identification certificate, best practices in issuing an election identification certificate, and equipment required to issue an election identification certificate.(c)  The secretary of state may not charge a fee to a group that requests a mobile unit established under this section.(d)  If the secretary of state cannot ensure the required security or other necessary elements of the program, the secretary of state may deny a request for a mobile unit established under this section.(e)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section.|Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 410 (S.B. 5), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2018.|
TX Elec COde § 31.014 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.014. Certification of Electronic Devices to Accept Voters

Sec. 31.014.  CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO ACCEPT VOTERS.  (a)  The secretary of state shall prescribe specific requirements and standards, consistent with this code, for the certification of an electronic device used to accept voters under Chapter 63 that require the device to:(1)  produce an electronic copy of the list of voters who were accepted to vote for delivery to the election judge after the polls close;(2)  display the voter's original signature in accordance with Section 63.002;(3)  accept a voter for voting even when the device is off-line;(4)  provide the full list of voters registered in the county with an indication of the jurisdictional or distinguishing number for each territorial unit in which each voter resides;(5)  time-stamp when each voter is accepted at a polling place, including the voter's unique identifier;(6)  if the county participates in the countywide polling place program under Section 43.007 or has more than one early voting polling place, transmit a time stamp when each voter is accepted, including the voter's unique identifier, to all polling place locations;(7)  time-stamp the receipt of a transmission under Subdivision (6); and(8)  produce in an electronic format compatible with the statewide voter registration list under Section 18.061 data for retention and transfer that includes:(A)  the polling location in which the device was used;(B)  the dated time stamp under Subdivision (5); and(C)  the dated time stamp under Subdivision (7).(b)  A device described by this section must be certified annually by the secretary of state.(c)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules that require a device described by this section used during the early voting period or under the countywide polling place program under Section 43.007 to update data in real time.  If a county uses a device that does not comply with the rule in two consecutive general elections for state and county officers, the secretary of state shall assess a noncompliance fee. The noncompliance fee shall be set at an amount determined by secretary of state rule.|Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 916 (H.B. 4130), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.|
TX Elec COde § 31.016 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter A. Secretary of State|Section 31.016. Voting Information on Secretary of State's Website

Sec. 31.016.  VOTING INFORMATION ON SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE.  (a)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures requiring the county officer responsible for administering elections to submit contact information of the county election office to the secretary of state for inclusion on the secretary of state's Internet website, including: (1)  the street address and zip code;(2)  the mailing address if different from the address provided in Subdivision (1); (3)  telephone number;(4)  facsimile number; and(5)  e-mail address.(b)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures requiring each entity designating the location of a polling place, including an early voting polling place, to submit information on the location to the secretary of state for inclusion on the secretary of state's Internet website. (c)  For each polling place the information submitted must include:(1)  the name of the building in which the polling place is located, if available;(2)  the street address and zip code of the polling place; and(3)  the days and hours of voting at each location.(d)  The polling information under Subsection (c) shall be posted on the secretary of state's Internet website in a downloadable format.(e)  The secretary of state:(1)  may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the creation and maintenance of the Internet website; and(2)  shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.|Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1052 (H.B. 933), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.|
TX Elec COde § 31.031 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Election Code|Title 3 - Election Officers and Observers|Chapter 31 - Officers to Administer Elections|Subchapter B. County Elections Administrator|Section 31.031. Creation of Position

Sec. 31.031.  CREATION OF POSITION.  (a)  The commissioners court by written order may create the position of county elections administrator for the county.(b)  The order must state the date the creation of the position of administrator is effective.  The effective date may not be later than 12 months after the date the order is adopted.(c)  To facilitate the orderly transfer of duties on the effective date, the order may authorize the commissioners court to employ the administrator-designate not earlier than the 90th day before the effective date of the creation of the position, at a salary not to exceed that to be paid to the administrator.(d)  Not later than the third day after the date the order is adopted, the county clerk shall deliver a certified copy of the order to:(1)  the secretary of state; and(2)  each member of the county election commission.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 338 (S.B. 893), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.|