HBA-NRS H.B. 444 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 444
By: Madden
Elections
7/10/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Political subdivisions other than counties that make provisions for
write-in candidacy declarations are authorized to cancel an election and
declare an unopposed candidate elected if no contested races and no
propositions appear on the ballot. Prior to the 77th Legislature,
provisions for write-in candidacy declarations applied only to general
elections for city officers. Thus, a city was not able to cancel all types
of elections and declare an unopposed candidate elected. House Bill 444
prohibits a vote for a write-in candidate in any election for city officers
from being counted unless the name written in appears on the list of
write-in candidates. 

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 444 amends the Election Code to prohibit a vote for a write-in
candidate in any election for city officers from being counted unless the
name written in appears on the list of write-in candidates.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.