HBA-DMH H.B. 405 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 405 By: Turner, Bob Elections 3/6/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A voter's intent is determined by the marks on the ballot. There may be confusion when a voter's marks indicate conflicting intentions. Such is the case when a voter casts a straight party vote and later marks a box for an individual candidate of the opposing party. Also, a voter should know each candidate and the office the candidate is seeking when casting a vote. House Bill 405 repeals law relating to a voter's option to cast a straight party vote. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 405 amends the Election Code to eliminate the option to cast a straight party vote. The bill repeals law relating to straight party voting in general, special, and primary elections. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.