HBA-DMH, SEP H.B. 424 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 424
By: Tillery
Elections
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The use of punch-card ballots in public elections has become a source of
controversy.  There are concerns about whether punch-card ballots are
accurate and user-friendly and whether a voter's intent may be determined
if a recount occurs.  Other methods, such as optical scanning systems, may
offer a greater degree of accuracy than punch-card ballot systems and
promote increased voter confidence.  House Bill 424 prohibits the use of
punch-card ballot voting systems. 

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 424 amends the Election Code to prohibit the use of a voting
system in an election if the system uses a punch-card ballot or similar
form of tabulating card.  The bill repeals law relating to the use of
punchcard election ballots. 

A political subdivision using a punch-card ballot or similar form of
tabulating card is authorized to seek financial assistance from the
secretary of state for the acquisition of a new voting system if the
secretary determines that the political subdivision would be financially
unable to abandon the prohibited voting system. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Financial assistance provisions take effect beginning September 1, 2001.
The remainder of the Act takes effect January 1, 2002.