CHAPTER 278. VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE FOR JUDICIAL ELECTIONS - Texas Statutes

ELECTION CODE

TITLE 16. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 278. VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE FOR JUDICIAL ELECTIONS

Sec. 278.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter applies to

each candidate whose name is to appear on the ballot or a list of

declared write-in candidates in a judicial election.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.002. INTERNET VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE. The secretary

of state may implement a voter information service program to:

(1) compile information on candidates for election in the form

of a voter information guide; and

(2) make the guide available to the public on the Internet.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.003. STATEMENT FILED BY CANDIDATE. If the secretary of

state implements a voter information service program, a candidate

may file with the secretary not later than the 70th day before

the date of the judicial election an informational statement, on

a form prescribed by the secretary, to be included in the voter

information guide for that election.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.004. STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS. (a) A candidate's

statement must include a summary of the following information:

(1) current occupation;

(2) educational and occupational background;

(3) biographical information; and

(4) any previous experience serving in government.

(b) The secretary of state may prescribe the format and length

of the candidate's statement.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.005. REVIEW BY SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) Not later than

the fifth day after the date the candidate's statement is

received, the secretary of state may review the statement to

determine whether it complies with this chapter.

(b) If the secretary of state determines that the statement does

not comply with the applicable requirements, the secretary may

reject the statement and deliver written notice of the reason for

the rejection to the candidate not later than the second day

after the date of rejection.

(c) A candidate whose statement is rejected may resubmit the

statement subject to the prescribed deadline.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.006. PREPARATION OF GUIDE. (a) The secretary of state

may contract for the preparation of the voter information guide

after soliciting bids for that work. The secretary may prepare

the guide if the secretary determines that the costs of that

preparation are less than or equal to the most reasonable bid

submitted.

(b) The voter information guide must include the candidates'

statements that comply with this chapter, with candidates for

election and write-in candidates for election as separate groups.

The order of the candidates' names within the groups is

determined by a drawing conducted by the secretary of state.

(c) The secretary of state may prescribe appropriate explanatory

material to be included in the voter information guide to assist

the voters, including a statement that the guide may be used at

the polls to assist the voters in marking their ballots.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.007. AVAILABILITY OF GUIDE. If the secretary of state

implements a voter information service program, the secretary may

make the voter information guide available to the public on the

Internet not later than the 45th day before the date of each

judicial election.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 278.008. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES. The secretary of state may

prescribe any additional procedures necessary to implement this

chapter.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1285, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.