HB740 —

Compared against the Texas statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 14 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 1.005, Election Code, Section 31.012(a), Election Code, Section 52.071, Election Code, Section 62.011(c), Election Code, Section 64.004, Election Code, Section 65.007, Election Code.

• Section 1.005, Election Code

  (20) "Straight-party vote" means a vote by a single mark, punch, or other action by the voter for all the nominees of one political party and for no other candidates.

  amended

• Section 31.012(a), Election Code

  and that straight ticket voting has been eliminated pursuant to H.B. 25, Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session, 2017 and election

  amended

• Section 52.071, Election Code

  Sec. 52.071. VOTING SQUARE AND INSTRUCTION FOR STRAIGHT-PARTY VOTE. (a) On a ballot on which a party column appears, a square larger than the square prescribed by Section 52.070(a) shall be printed to the left of each political party's name. (b) The following instruction shall be added to the instruction required by Section 52.070(b): "You may cast a straight-party vote (that is, cast a vote for all the nominees of one party) by placing an 'X' in the square beside the name of the party of your choice. If you cast a straight-party vote for all the nominees of one party and also cast a vote for an opponent of one of that party's nominees, your vote for the opponent will be counted as well as your vote for all the other nominees of the party for which the straight-party vote was cast."

  added

• Section 62.011(c), Election Code

  and → ; and (5) casting a straight-party vote

  amended

• Section 64.004, Election Code

  Sec. 64.004. MARKING THE BALLOT FOR STRAIGHT-PARTY VOTE. In an election in which a single square is provided on the ballot for casting a straight-party vote, a straight-party vote must be indicated by placing an "X" or other mark that clearly shows the voter's intent in the square beside the name of the appropriate political party.

  added

• Section 65.007, Election Code

  Sec. 65.007. TALLYING STRAIGHT-PARTY VOTES. (a) In an election in which a single square is provided on the ballot for casting a straight-party vote, the tally lists shall contain spaces for tallying those votes. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (d), each straight-party vote shall be tallied for the party receiving the vote instead of being tallied for the individual candidates of the party. The total number of straight-party votes tallied for each party shall be added to the total votes received for each of the party nominees individually. (c) If a ballot indicates a straight-party vote and a vote for an opponent of one or more of that party's nominees, a vote shall be counted for the opponent and for each of the party's other nominees whether or not any of those nominees have received individual votes. (d) If a ballot indicates straight-party votes for more than one party, those votes may not be tallied and a vote shall be counted for each candidate receiving an individual vote if no other individual votes are received in that race. If no candidate receives an individual vote, the portion of the ballot for offices may not be counted.

  added

• Section 65.011, Election Code

  If → Except as provided by Section 65.007(c) or (d), if

  amended

• Section 105.002(c), Election Code

  or, if applicable, cast a straight-party vote

  amended

• Section 122.001, Election Code

  and → ; and (11) is capable of permitting straight-party voting (b) A voting system may not be used in an election in which straight-party voting is permitted unless the system permits or prevents, as applicable, counting votes in accordance with Sections 65.007(c) and (d).

  amended

• Section 124.001, Election Code

  Sec. 124.001. STRAIGHT-PARTY ARRANGEMENT. In an election in which voters are entitled to cast straight-party votes, the voting system ballot shall be arranged to permit the voters to do so.

  added

• Section 124.003, Election Code

  (d) The requirement that the ballot be arranged to permit straight-party voting does not apply to candidates listed under the uncontested races heading.

  amended

• Section 124.063, Election Code

  (d) The electronic system ballot for an election in which straight-party voting is allowed must contain the instruction prescribed by Section 52.071(b) with the language relating to placing an "X" in the party square changed as appropriate to accommodate the method by which the voter indicates a vote.

  amended

• Section 129.023(c), Election Code

  and → ; and (10) include straight-party votes and crossover votes

  amended

• Section 232.050, Election Code

  (d) The requirement that a ballot on which a party nominee appears must be arranged to permit casting a straight-party vote does not apply to the ballot for the new election if fewer than three offices are to appear on the ballot.

  amended

Similar bills in other states

Bills in other jurisdictions that match this one by MEANING — title, summary and subject, compared across every state we track. A strong signal the same policy is moving elsewhere.

• HB 740 Tennessee 87% Compare text
• HB 740 Tennessee 87% Compare text
• HB 740 Maryland 87% Compare text