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S.B. No. 985 AN ACT relating to the combination of certain election precincts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 42.0051, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 42.0051. COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS. (a) If changes in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a redistricting plan result in county election precincts with fewer than 3,000 registered voters, a commissioners court for a general or special election, or for a primary election the county executive committee of a political party conducting a primary election, may combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005 to avoid unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and personnel [This section applies only to a county with a population of less than 1.2 million that does not participate in the countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007]. (b) A combined precinct under Subsection (a) is subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section 42.006. (c) [(a-1)] In a county that does not participate in the countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007, for a general or special election for which use of county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court [may,] on the recommendation of the county election board, or for a primary election for which use of county election precincts is required, the county executive committee of a political party conducting the primary election, may combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005 if: (1) the commissioners court cannot secure a suitable polling place location under Section 43.031; and (2) the location of the combined polling place adequately serves the voters of the combined precinct. (d) [(c)] A combined precinct under Subsection (c) [this section] may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters. (e) [(d)] A combined precinct may not be established if it: (1) results in a dilution of voting strength of a group covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et seq.); (2) results in a dilution of representation of a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure; or (3) results in discouraging participation by a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or other factors. (f) For the purposes of appointing a presiding election judge and an alternate presiding judge to a county election precinct combined under this section, the combined precinct shall be considered a single precinct and the judges shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures provided under Chapter 32. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the Senate on April 2, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the House, with amendment, on May 7, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 94, Nays 52, two present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor
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