reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 272 - Bilingual Requirements › Section 272.010. Voter Registration Application Form

Sec. 272.010.  VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION FORM.  (a)  The secretary of state shall prescribe a voter registration application form that is printed in Spanish or shall include a Spanish translation beneath the text of the English-language registration application form prescribed by the secretary.
(b)  The voter registrar for each county containing an election precinct subject to Section 272.002 shall maintain a supply of the form required by Subsection (a) and shall keep a notice in Spanish posted at the place in the registrar's office where voter registration is conducted stating that application forms in Spanish are available.
(c)  The form required by Subsection (a) may be used in any county in this state.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 253, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 272 - Bilingual Requirements › Section 272.011. Bilingual Election Materials Required in Certain Political Subdivisions

Sec. 272.011.  BILINGUAL ELECTION MATERIALS REQUIRED IN CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.  (a)  If the director of the census determines under 42 U.S.C. Section 1973aa-1a that a political subdivision must provide election materials in a language other than English or Spanish, the political subdivision shall provide election materials in that language in the same manner in which the political subdivision would be required to provide materials in Spanish under this chapter, to the extent applicable.
(b)  The secretary of state shall prepare the translation for election materials required to be provided in a language other than English or Spanish for the following state prescribed voter forms:
(1)  voter registration application form required by Section 13.002;
(2)  the confirmation form required by Section 15.051;
(3)  the voting instruction poster required by Section 62.011;
(4)  the reasonable impediment declaration required by Section 63.001(b);
(5)  the statement of residence form required by Section 63.0011;
(6)  the provisional ballot affidavit required by Section 63.011;
(7)  the application for a ballot by mail required by Section 84.011;
(8)  the carrier envelope and voting instructions required by Section 86.013; and
(9)  any other voter forms that the secretary of state identifies as frequently used and for which state resources are otherwise available.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1014 (H.B. 2477), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 410 (S.B. 5), Sec. 7, eff. January 1, 2018.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter A. Criminal Investigation › Section 273.001. Investigation of Criminal Conduct

Sec. 273.001.  INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT.  (a)  If two or more registered voters of the territory covered by an election present affidavits alleging criminal conduct in connection with the election to the county or district attorney having jurisdiction in that territory, the county or district attorney shall investigate the allegations.  If the election covers territory in more than one county, the voters may present the affidavits to the attorney general, and the attorney general shall investigate the allegations.
(b)  A district or county attorney having jurisdiction or the attorney general may conduct an investigation on the officer's own initiative to determine if criminal conduct occurred in connection with an election.
(c)  On receipt of an affidavit under Section 15.028, the county or district attorney having jurisdiction and, if applicable, the attorney general shall investigate the matter.
(d)  On referral of a complaint from the secretary of state under Section 31.006, the attorney general may investigate the allegations.
(e)  Not later than the 30th day after the date on which a county or district attorney begins an investigation under this section, the county or district attorney shall deliver notice of the investigation to the secretary of state.  The notice must include a statement that a criminal investigation is being conducted and the date on which the election that is the subject of the investigation was held.  The secretary of state may disclose information relating to a criminal investigation received under this subsection only if the county or district attorney has disclosed the information or would be required by law to disclose the information.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 78, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 916, Sec. 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1290, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter A. Criminal Investigation › Section 273.002. Local Assistance to Attorney General

Sec. 273.002.  LOCAL ASSISTANCE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.  For an election in which the attorney general is conducting an investigation, the attorney general may:
(1)  direct the county or district attorney serving a county in the territory covered by the election to conduct or assist the attorney general in conducting the investigation;  or
(2)  direct the Department of Public Safety to assist in conducting the investigation.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter A. Criminal Investigation › Section 273.003. Impounding Election Records

Sec. 273.003.  IMPOUNDING ELECTION RECORDS.  (a)  In the investigation of an election, a county or district attorney or the attorney general may have impounded for the investigation the election returns, voted ballots, signature roster, and other election records.
(b)  To have election records impounded, the investigating officer must apply to a district court for an order placing the election records in the court's custody for examination by the officer.
(c)  The application for impoundment must be filed with the district court of the county in which the election was held or an adjoining county.  An application for records of a statewide election may be filed in the county in which the election was held, an adjoining county, or Travis County.
(d)  On the filing of an application, the district judge shall issue an order impounding the records in a secure place under the terms and conditions the judge considers necessary to keep them under the judge's custody and control during the examination and for any additional time the judge directs.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 254, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter A. Criminal Investigation › Section 273.004. Examination of Impounded Records

Sec. 273.004.  EXAMINATION OF IMPOUNDED RECORDS.  (a)  The examination of impounded election records shall be conducted in the same manner as a court of inquiry.
(b)  Impounded election records must be examined in the presence of the district judge ordering the impoundment or a grand jury, as provided by the judge's order.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter B. Prosecution by Attorney General › Section 273.021. Prosecution by Attorney General Authorized

Sec. 273.021.  PROSECUTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORIZED.  (a)  The attorney general may prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.
(b)  The attorney general may appear before a grand jury in connection with an offense the attorney general is authorized to prosecute under Subsection (a).
(c)  The authority to prosecute prescribed by this subchapter does not affect the authority derived from other law to prosecute the same offenses.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 79, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 255, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter B. Prosecution by Attorney General › Section 273.022. Cooperation With Local Prosecutor

Sec. 273.022.  COOPERATION WITH LOCAL PROSECUTOR.  The attorney general may direct the county or district attorney serving the county in which the offense is to be prosecuted to prosecute an offense that the attorney general is authorized to prosecute under Section 273.021 or to assist the attorney general in the prosecution.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter B. Prosecution by Attorney General › Section 273.023. Subpoena

Sec. 273.023.  SUBPOENA.  (a)  A subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued in connection with a prosecution under this subchapter is effective if served anywhere in this state.
(b)  A witness may not be punished for failure to comply with a subpoena issued under this subchapter unless the proper fees are tendered to the witness as required by statute or court rule.
(c)  The attorney general may direct the Department of Public Safety to serve a subpoena under this subchapter.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter B. Prosecution by Attorney General › Section 273.024. Venue

Sec. 273.024.  VENUE.  An offense under this subchapter may be prosecuted in the county in which the offense was committed or an adjoining county.  If the offense is committed in connection with a statewide election, the offense may be prosecuted in the county in which the offense was committed, an adjoining county, or Travis County.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter C. Examination of Ballots by Grand Jury › Section 273.041. Request to Examine Ballots

Sec. 273.041.  REQUEST TO EXAMINE BALLOTS.  In the investigation of criminal conduct in connection with an election, a grand jury, on finding probable cause to believe an offense was committed, may request a district judge of the county served by the grand jury to order an examination of the voted ballots in the election.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1078, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 56, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter C. Examination of Ballots by Grand Jury › Section 273.042. Order by District Judge

Sec. 273.042.  ORDER BY DISTRICT JUDGE.  On request of a grand jury for an examination of voted ballots, a district judge may order the custodian of the ballots and the custodian of the keys to the ballot boxes to deliver the ballot boxes and the keys to the grand jury.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1078, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 56, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter C. Examination of Ballots by Grand Jury › Section 273.043. Conduct of Examination

Sec. 273.043.  CONDUCT OF EXAMINATION.  The examination of ballots under this subchapter shall be conducted in secret before the grand jury.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1078, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 56, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter D. Mandamus by Appellate Court › Section 273.061. Jurisdiction

Sec. 273.061.  JURISDICTION.  (a)  The supreme court or a court of appeals may issue a writ of mandamus to compel the performance of any duty imposed by law in connection with the holding of an election or a political party convention, regardless of whether the person responsible for performing the duty is a public officer.
(b)  The court of criminal appeals may issue a writ of mandamus to compel the performance of any duty imposed by law in connection with the provision, sequestration, transfer, or impoundment of evidence in or records relating to a criminal investigation conducted under this code or conducted in connection with the conduct of an election or political party convention.  If a writ of mandamus is issued under this subsection, it shall include an order requiring the provision, sequestration, transfer, or impoundment of the evidence or record.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 8.04, eff. December 2, 2021.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter D. Mandamus by Appellate Court › Section 273.062. Proceeding to Obtain Writ

Sec. 273.062.  PROCEEDING TO OBTAIN WRIT.  A proceeding to obtain a writ of mandamus under this subchapter shall be conducted in accordance with the rules pertaining to original proceedings of the court in which the petition is filed.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter D. Mandamus by Appellate Court › Section 273.063. Venue in Court of Appeals

Sec. 273.063.  VENUE IN COURT OF APPEALS.  (a)  A petition to a court of appeals for a writ of mandamus under this subchapter must be filed with the court specified by this section.
(b)  A petition pertaining to an election must be filed with the court of the court of appeals district in which:
(1)  the respondent resides, or in which one of them resides if there is more than one respondent, if the election is statewide;  or
(2)  the territory covered by the election is wholly or partly situated, if the election is not statewide.
(c)  A petition pertaining to a political party convention must be filed with the court of the court of appeals district in which:
(1)  the respondent resides, or in which one of them resides if there is more than one respondent, for a state convention;
(2)  the territory represented by the convention delegates is wholly or partly situated, for a district convention;  or
(3)  the precinct or county is situated, for a precinct or county convention.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 54, Sec. 15(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 273 - Criminal Investigation and Other Enforcement Proceedings › Subchapter E. Injunction › Section 273.081. Injunction

Sec. 273.081.  INJUNCTION.  A person who is being harmed or is in danger of being harmed by a violation or threatened violation of this code is entitled to appropriate injunctive relief to prevent the violation from continuing or occurring.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter A. Amendment on Ballot › Section 274.001. Form of Amendment on Ballot

Sec. 274.001.  FORM OF AMENDMENT ON BALLOT.  (a)  If the legislature fails to prescribe the wording of the proposition submitting a proposed constitutional amendment, the secretary of state shall prescribe it.
(b)  The proposition prescribed by the secretary of state must describe the proposed amendment in terms that clearly express its scope and character.
(c)  The governor shall include the proposition in the proclamation ordering the election at which the constitutional amendment will be submitted.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter A. Amendment on Ballot › Section 274.002. Drawing for Ballot Order

Sec. 274.002.  DRAWING FOR BALLOT ORDER.  (a)  If more than one proposed constitutional amendment is to be submitted in an election, the order of the propositions submitting the amendments shall be determined by a drawing as provided by this section.
(b)  The secretary of state shall conduct the drawing at a time and place designated by the secretary.  The drawing is open to the public.
(c)  The secretary of state shall post on the secretary of state's Internet website and may post on a bulletin board for posting notice of a meeting of a state governmental body a notice of the date, hour, and place of the drawing.  The notice must remain posted continuously for 72 hours immediately preceding the scheduled time of the drawing.
(d)  The propositions submitting the proposed amendments are numbered consecutively, beginning with No. 1, in the order drawn.
(e)  Each proposition must appear on the official ballot with its assigned number in the serial order of its number.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1052 (H.B. 933), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2019.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter A. Amendment on Ballot › Section 274.003. Certifying Amendment for Placement on Ballot

Sec. 274.003.  CERTIFYING AMENDMENT FOR PLACEMENT ON BALLOT.  (a)  For each proposed constitutional amendment, the secretary of state shall certify in writing for placement on the ballot:
(1)  the wording of the proposition submitting the amendment;  and
(2)  the proposition's number.
(b)  Not later than the 68th day before election day, the secretary of state shall deliver the certification to the authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared in each county.
(c)  In conjunction with the certification required under Subsection (a), the secretary of state shall include appropriate ballot translation language, as applicable, for each language certified statewide or for a specific county by the director of the census under 42 U.S.C. Section 1973aa-1a.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1014 (H.B. 2477), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 84 (S.B. 1703), Sec. 30, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter A. Amendment on Ballot › Section 274.004. Proposition Ballot Order

Sec. 274.004.  PROPOSITION BALLOT ORDER.  A proposed constitutional amendment must be placed on the ballot before all other propositions.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 391 (S.B. 957), Sec. 2, eff. June 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.021. Notice of Proposed Amendment Required

Sec. 274.021.  NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT REQUIRED.  Notice of each proposed constitutional amendment shall be published as required by the constitution in accordance with this subchapter.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.022. Contract for Publication

Sec. 274.022.  CONTRACT FOR PUBLICATION.  (a)  The secretary of state shall contract in writing for the publication of notice of a proposed constitutional amendment with:
(1)  each eligible newspaper;  or
(2)  a statewide association of daily and weekly newspapers in this state.
(b)  A contract with a statewide association must provide for publication in each eligible newspaper in this state.
(c)  In this subchapter, "eligible newspaper" means a newspaper that meets the requirements prescribed by law for the publication of official notices of officers and departments of the state government.
(d)  In this subchapter, "contractor" means a newspaper or statewide association with which the secretary of state contracts under this section.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.023. Text of Notice

Sec. 274.023.  TEXT OF NOTICE.  (a)  The secretary of state shall prepare the text of the notice of each proposed constitutional amendment in the form specified by the contract.
(b)  The secretary of state shall deliver the text to each contractor by the deadline specified in the contract.
(c)  If the contractor is a statewide association, the association shall deliver to each eligible newspaper the materials and instructions necessary for a correct and uniform publication of the notice.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.024. Report on Notice Publication to Secretary of State

Sec. 274.024.  REPORT ON NOTICE PUBLICATION TO SECRETARY OF STATE.  (a)  A contractor shall file with the secretary of state a report on the publication of the notice of a proposed constitutional amendment.
(b)  The report must include:
(1)  duplicate originals of an affidavit of publication executed by:
(A)  the owner, editor, or publisher, if the contractor is a newspaper;  or
(B)  the general manager of the association, if the contractor is a statewide association;  and
(2)  a tear sheet of the published notice for each publication date or, if the contractor is a statewide association, a tear sheet of the published notice from each newspaper for each publication date.
(c)  The affidavit of publication must contain a statement that the publication of the notice was made in accordance with law and any other statement required by the secretary of state relating to the publication.  The affidavit must be made on an officially prescribed form.
(d)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (b), a report filed by a newspaper must include:
(1)  the name of the newspaper in which the notice was published;
(2)  the number of column inches used for the notice;
(3)  the newspaper's published national rate for advertising per column inch;
(4)  the cost of publishing the notice;  and
(5)  any other information requested by the secretary of state relating to the publication of the notice.
(e)  If the contractor is a statewide association, the report must include the information required by Subsection (d) with respect to each newspaper in which the notice was published.
(f)  The report must be filed not later than the 30th day after the date of the last publication of the notice.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.025. Action on Report by Secretary of State

Sec. 274.025.  ACTION ON REPORT BY SECRETARY OF STATE.  (a)  On receipt of a report filed under Section 274.024, the secretary of state shall review the report to determine if:
(1)  the affidavit is properly executed;  and
(2)  the publication of the notice was made in accordance with law.
(b)  If the affidavit is properly executed and the publication was made in accordance with law, the secretary of state shall approve the report.  Otherwise, the secretary may not approve the report.
(c)  If a contractor's report is not approved, the contractor is not entitled to payment by the state for the publication.  The secretary of state for good cause may permit a contractor to amend a report as necessary for approval.
(d)  If a report is approved, the secretary of state shall deliver one of the affidavits of publication to the comptroller of public accounts and retain the other for two years after the date the report is approved.  The secretary shall enter the amount to be paid to the contractor on the affidavit delivered to the comptroller.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.026. State Payment for Publication

Sec. 274.026.  STATE PAYMENT FOR PUBLICATION.  On receipt of an approved affidavit of publication from the secretary of state, the comptroller of public accounts shall issue a warrant payable to the contractor in the amount specified by the secretary.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.027. Amount of State Payment

Sec. 274.027.  AMOUNT OF STATE PAYMENT.  The amount paid by the state for publication of notice of a proposed constitutional amendment under this subchapter is as follows:
(1)  for a contractor that is a newspaper, the amount is computed:
(A)  at 85 percent of the newspaper's published national rate for advertising per column inch if the text of the notice furnished to the newspaper by the secretary of state is in the form of a camera-ready paste-up proof, a matrix, or a printing plate;  or
(B)  at the newspaper's published national rate for advertising per column inch if the text of the notice is not in the form prescribed by Paragraph (A);  or
(2)  for a contractor that is a statewide association, the amount is equal to the sum of the costs of publication in each newspaper, computed at the newspaper's published national rate for advertising per column inch.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 274 - Constitutional Amendments › Subchapter B. Publishing Notice of Proposed Amendment › Section 274.028. Commission Retained by Association

Sec. 274.028.  COMMISSION RETAINED BY ASSOCIATION.  If the secretary of state contracts with a statewide association for publication of the notice of a proposed constitutional amendment, the contract must provide that the association retain a commission out of the amount paid by the state under the contract.  The commission must be a stipulated percentage of the state payment that is uniformly applied against each newspaper.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 275 - Election for Officers of City With 200,000 Population › Section 275.001. Applicability of Chapter

Sec. 275.001.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.  This chapter applies only to a city with a population of 200,000 or more.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 275 - Election for Officers of City With 200,000 Population › Section 275.002. Majority Vote Required

Sec. 275.002.  MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED.  To be elected to a city office, a candidate must receive a majority of the total number of votes received by all candidates for the office.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 275 - Election for Officers of City With 200,000 Population › Section 275.003. Election by Place Required

Sec. 275.003.  ELECTION BY PLACE REQUIRED.  (a)  When a city attains a population of 200,000 or more, the city shall establish a system of electing its governing body in accordance with this section if in the city's general elections more than one member of its governing body is elected from the same set of candidates.
(b)  Not later than the 60th day before the date of the first general election held in accordance with this section, the city's governing body shall assign a place number to each position on the governing body that is to be elected from the same territory as another position, identifying it by the name of the incumbent at the time the assignment is made.
(c)  One person shall be elected to fill each position for which a place number appears on the ballot.
(d)  The city shall use the place system required by this section until the city establishes another system of election that is consistent with an election by majority vote.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.001. Retaliation Against Voter

Sec. 276.001.  RETALIATION AGAINST VOTER.  (a)  A person commits an offense if, in retaliation against a voter who has voted for or against a candidate or measure or a voter who has refused to reveal how the voter voted, the person knowingly:
(1)  harms or threatens to harm the voter by an unlawful act;  or
(2)  with respect to a voter over whom the person has authority in the scope of employment, subjects or threatens to subject the voter to a loss or reduction of wages or another benefit of employment.
(b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 256, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.003. Unlawful Removal From Ballot Box

Sec. 276.003.  UNLAWFUL REMOVAL FROM BALLOT BOX.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally removes or attempts to remove voted ballots from a ballot box in a manner not authorized by law.
(b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree unless the person is convicted of an attempt.  In that case, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 489, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.004. Unlawfully Prohibiting Employee From Voting

Sec. 276.004.  UNLAWFULLY PROHIBITING EMPLOYEE FROM VOTING.  (a)  A person commits an offense if, with respect to another person over whom the person has authority in the scope of employment, the person knowingly:
(1)  refuses to permit the other person to be absent from work on election day or while early voting is in progress for the purpose of attending the polls to vote; or
(2)  subjects or threatens to subject the other person to a penalty for attending the polls on election day or while early voting is in progress to vote.
(b)  It is an exception to the application of this section that the person's conduct occurs in connection with an election in which the polls are open on election day or while early voting is in progress for voting for two consecutive hours outside of the voter's working hours.
(c)  In this section, "penalty" means a loss or reduction of wages or another benefit of employment.
(d)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 80, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 7.02, eff. December 2, 2021.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.005. Voter's Privilege From Arrest

Sec. 276.005.  VOTER'S PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST.  A voter may not be arrested during the voter's attendance at an election and while going to and returning from a polling place except for treason, a felony, or a breach of peace.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.006. Changing Electoral Boundaries of Certain Political Subdivisions

Sec. 276.006.  CHANGING ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES OF CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.  A change in a boundary of a territorial unit of a political subdivision other than a county from which an office of the political subdivision is elected is not effective for an election unless the date of the order or other action adopting the boundary change is more than three months before election day.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 472, Sec. 59, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 995, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.007. Student Election Authorized

Sec. 276.007.  STUDENT ELECTION AUTHORIZED.  (a)  An election for the participation of students in kindergarten through 12th grade may be held in conjunction with a general, special, or primary election as provided by this section.
(b)  A student election may be ordered by:
(1)  the commissioners court, for a student election held in conjunction with an election ordered by the governor or a county authority;
(2)  the governing body of a political subdivision, for a student election held in conjunction with an election of the political subdivision;  or
(3)  the county executive committee, for a student election held in conjunction with a primary election.
(c)  A student election may be held only on election day or the day before election day.
(d)  The authority ordering a student election shall specify in the order each grade that may participate in the election.  A student in a specified grade may enter a precinct polling place for the purpose of casting an unofficial ballot in the student election on the same offices and measures that appear on the official ballot.
(e)  The authority ordering a student election shall make the results of that election available to the public but only after the polling places are closed on election day.
(f)  The election officers serving in the official election may not serve in the student election.  The authority ordering a student election shall appoint a separate set of election officers to conduct the student election, supervise the participating students, and tabulate and report the results of that election.
(g)  Expenses incurred in the conduct of a student election, including any personnel expenses, may be paid only from private grant funds or donations.
(h)  The secretary of state shall prescribe any procedures necessary to implement this section and ensure that the conduct of a student election does not affect the proper and efficient conduct of a general, special, or primary election.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 887, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.008. Information Provided to Texas Legislative Council

Sec. 276.008.  INFORMATION PROVIDED TO TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.  (a)  On the written request of the Texas Legislative Council, the secretary of state, a county clerk or county elections administrator, a city secretary, or a voter registrar shall provide without charge to the council information or data maintained by the appropriate officer relating to voter registration, voter turnout, election returns for statewide, district, county, precinct, or city offices, or county election precincts, including precinct maps.
(b)  The appropriate officer shall provide the requested information or data to the council as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the request is received by that officer.
(c)  The information or data shall be provided in a form approved by the council.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 2.11(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  Amended by Acts 1989, 71st, ch. 114, Sec. 16, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Renumbered from Government Code, Sec. 323.013 and amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 3A.02, eff. Aug. 30, 1993;  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1585, Sec. 3, eff. June 20, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.009. Voting by Sequestered Juror

Sec. 276.009.  VOTING BY SEQUESTERED JUROR.  (a)  The judge of a court that has issued an order that a jury not be allowed to separate shall permit a juror reasonable time to vote on election day.
(b)  The court may provide the juror with a means of transportation to and from the appropriate polling place.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 236, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.010. Unlawful Buying and Selling of Balloting Materials

Sec. 276.010.  UNLAWFUL BUYING AND SELLING OF BALLOTING MATERIALS.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person buys, offers to buy, sells, or offers to sell an official ballot, official ballot envelope, official carrier envelope, signed application for an early voting mail ballot, or any other original election record.
(b)  This section does not apply to a person who executes a written contract for the procurement of election supplies necessary to conduct an election under Section 51.003.
(c)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony unless a voter sells a ballot, ballot envelope, or carrier envelope that has been provided to the voter by government, in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 393, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.012. Engaging in Organized Election Fraud Activity

Sec. 276.012.  ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED ELECTION FRAUD ACTIVITY.  (a)  A person commits an offense if, with the intent to establish, maintain, or participate in a vote harvesting organization, the person commits or conspires to commit one or more offenses under Titles 1 through 7.
(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under this section is one category higher than the most serious offense listed in Subsection (a) that is committed, and if the most serious offense is a Class A misdemeanor, the offense is a state jail felony.
(c)  At the punishment stage of a trial, the defendant may raise the issue as to whether in voluntary and complete renunciation of the offense the defendant withdrew from the vote harvesting organization before commission of an offense listed in Subsection (a) and made substantial effort to prevent the commission of the offense.  If the defendant proves the issue in the affirmative by a preponderance of the evidence, the offense is the same category of offense as the most serious offense listed in Subsection (a) that is committed.
(d)  In this section, "vote harvesting organization" means three or more persons who collaborate in committing offenses under Titles 1 through 7, although participants may not know each other's identity, membership in the organization may change from time to time, and participants may stand in a candidate-consultant, donor-consultant, consultant-field operative, or other arm's length relationship in the organization's operations.
(e)  For purposes of this section, "conspires to commit" means that a person agrees with one or more persons that they or one or more of them engage in conduct that would constitute the offense and that person and one or more of them perform an overt act in pursuance of the agreement.  An agreement constituting conspiring to commit may be inferred from the acts of the parties.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 828 (H.B. 1735), Sec. 62, eff. September 1, 2017.
Redesignated from Election Code, Section 276.011 by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 21.001(11), eff. September 1, 2019.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.013. Election Fraud

Sec. 276.013.  ELECTION FRAUD.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally makes any effort to:
(1)  influence the independent exercise of the vote of another in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process, including by altering the ballot of another or by otherwise causing a ballot to not reflect the intent of the voter;
(2)  cause a voter to become registered, a ballot to be obtained, or a vote to be cast under false pretenses;
(3)  cause any false or intentionally misleading statement, representation, or information to be provided:
(A)  to an election official; or
(B)  on an application for ballot by mail, carrier envelope, or any other official election-related form or document;
(4)  prevent a voter from casting a legal ballot in an election in which the voter is eligible to vote;
(5)  provide false information to a voter with the intent of preventing the voter from voting in an election in which the voter is eligible to vote;
(6)  cause the ballot not to reflect the intent of the voter;
(7)  cause a ballot to be voted for another person that the person knows to be deceased or otherwise knows not to be a qualified or registered voter;
(8)  cause or enable a vote to be cast more than once in the same election; or
(9)  discard or destroy a voter's completed ballot without the voter's consent.
(b)  An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor, unless:
(1)  the person committed the offense while acting in the person's capacity as an elected official, in which case the offense is a state jail felony; or
(2)  the person is convicted of an attempt, in which case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c)  An offense under this section is increased to the next higher category of offense if it is shown on the trial of an offense under this section that:
(1)  the defendant was previously convicted of an offense under this code;
(2)  the offense involved a voter 65 years of age or older, and the actor was not:
(A)  related to the voter within the second degree by affinity or the third degree by consanguinity, as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter 573, Government Code; or
(B)  physically living in the same dwelling as the voter at the time of the event; or
(3)  the defendant committed another offense under this section in the same election.
(d)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 5), Sec. 17, eff. December 1, 2017.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 7.03, eff. December 2, 2021.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.014. Other Election Offenses

Sec. 276.014.  OTHER ELECTION OFFENSES.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally makes any effort to:
(1)  count votes the person knows are invalid or alter a report to include votes the person knows are invalid; or
(2)  refuse to count votes the person knows are valid or alter a report to exclude votes the person knows are valid.
(b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 574), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
2023 Texas Statutes › Election Code › Title 16 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Chapter 276 - Miscellaneous Offenses and Other Provisions › Section 276.015. Vote Harvesting

Sec. 276.015.  VOTE HARVESTING.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Benefit" means anything reasonably regarded as a gain or advantage, including a promise or offer of employment, a political favor, or an official act of discretion, whether to a person or another party whose welfare is of interest to the person.
(2)  "Vote harvesting services" means in-person interaction with one or more voters, in the physical presence of an official ballot or a ballot voted by mail, intended to deliver votes for a specific candidate or measure.
(b)  A person commits an offense if the person, directly or through a third party, knowingly provides or offers to provide vote harvesting services in exchange for compensation or other benefit.
(c)  A person commits an offense if the person, directly or through a third party, knowingly provides or offers to provide compensation or other benefit to another person in exchange for vote harvesting services.
(d)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly collects or possesses a mail ballot or official carrier envelope in connection with vote harvesting services.
(e)  This section does not apply to:
(1)  an activity not performed in exchange for compensation or a benefit;
(2)  interactions that do not occur in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process;
(3)  interactions that do not directly involve an official ballot or ballot by mail;
(4)  interactions that are not conducted in-person with a voter; or
(5)  activity that is not designed to deliver votes for or against a specific candidate or measure.
(f)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree.
(g)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
(h)  Records necessary to investigate an offense under this section or any other section of this code shall be provided by an election officer in an unredacted form to a law enforcement officer upon request.  Records obtained under this subsection are not subject to public disclosure.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 7.04, eff. December 2, 2021.