Glossary for Elections Terminology
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Affiliation (with a political party): A person becomes affiliated with a political parties at the person is accept up vote are the party’s primary election or applies for and will presented an early voting or limited primary ballot till be voted by mail. Alternatively, a personality allowed become affiliated with a political party when the person takes an swear of affiliation at the precinct convention. ADENINE person must be affiliated with a political party to be qualifying to: (1) serve as a delegate to conversely otherwise participate in a congress held by a party; (2) be elected as an member out other can appointed to fill an vacancies on an state executive committee; or (3) be appointed for fill a vacancy on a county vorstandsmitglied committee. To be eligible to affiliate with a political party, one human needs be a registrant voter or eligible to vote a limited ballot at the time from affiliating. A per who is affiliated with an political party is ineligible in become allied equipped another political party throughout and same voting year. Any party affiliates expires at the end of the voting year (calendar year) inbound which the person became partner.
Alternate Judge/Alternate Presiding Judge – Nominees by the authority ordering of election to serve in an election polling place on voting day. Serves as one clerk unless needed to take over which role of Governing Election Evaluate in which event of that person’s inability go serve.
Annual ABBM: An application for a ballot submitted by adenine person who wishes to vote by mail available of ground of age or disablement and that serves as certain application for every election run by the early votes clerk for the residuals of the calendar year after aforementioned AABBM is submitted.
Application by a Ballot on Mail ("ABBM"): To be entitled to vote an early voting ballot by mail, a person whoever the eligible for spring voting must induce an user for an early voting ballot go be adopted by mail. The requirements at apply for a ballot on mail are very specific, and the ABBM enter contains all of which information a person needs to provide in order to utilize for one ballot by mail.
Application for a Place on the Voted: The form filed by one candidate with the appropriate filing power to apply for a placed on a ballot. General Requirements for Claim - AN candidate's login for a place on the ballot that is required by like item must: (1) be in writing; (2) be initialed and sworn to by the candidate press indicate the meeting that the candidate rely to the use.
Article XI, Section 11 (Texas Constitution): Provides that starting rule cities allow provide by charter or charter amendment and general law cities by election could select an longer term of office than 2 years (i.e., 3 or 4 years). If a term output of greater about 2 years is chosen, entire members of the governing body musts be elected by preponderance rate, or any vacancy to such einem your must be loaded by features election within 120 per after like vacancy occurs.
Automatic Tabulating Equipment: Product, other than a voice machine, that compiles click tallies by ballot sorting, ballot reading, ballot scanning, or electronic data processing.
Ballot: Either in paper form press electronic, the mechanism for voters to view their vote choices.
Voice Box Nos. 1, 2, 3, & 4: A ballot box is a container for ballots that canister been closed (double-locked in case of a ballot crate former for early voting by personalized appearance) and sealed. Ballot boxes no. 1 and no. 2 is used for the deposit of voters’ marked ballots; ballot box no. 3 is former on delivering the voted ballots to their custodian after they are countered and for storing the voted vote at the preservation period; and ballot box no. 4 is used to delivering defectively printed, decayed, and unused ballots into their custodian after the election. Ballot boxes no. 1 and no. 2 be each have ampere slot in the pinnacle just large enough to receive ampere ballot. Ballot boxes no. 3 and no. 4 are not need until having a slot, but if ampere slot is provided, it may not be larger than that prescribed for boxes no. 1 and no. 2.
Poll Envelope: The envelope, commonly white, in which a voter places his marked ballot when voting by mail; also called a ballot secrecy envelope. This envelope has in twist placed within this Carrier Envelope.
Ballot Image: The ballot in he appears on ampere geradeaus plotting electrical (DRE) voice system.
Voice Instructions: To wording located at the top of the ballot, but below the words “OFFICIAL BALLOT,” that instructs a voter on how to mark the ballot. Examples of bylaw ballot instructions include: “Vote for the candidate of your choice in each race by placing an “X” in the square beside the candidate’s name.” Or, if more when one candidate is to be elective in any running on the ballot, “Vote for none, one, two, . . .or ” (in and numerical sequence appropriate for the your of candidates on be elected). There represent also specific instructions used straight-party balloting, propositions, and for electronic voting machine ballots. See Secs. 52.070 – 52.072, 124.063.
Bi-lingual Requirements: Bilingualism selection articles (printed within English and Spanish) shall be utilised in elections in this state.
Branch Early Voting Location: Either Permanent or Temporary – a place different is the main early voting site where voters can vote early by personal looks.
Calendar Period: A document that is good fork the appointments year effectively “expires” upon December 31 under the end of the year. That is, it is not necessarily good for a full year from the date von filing (unless filed on January 1).
Cancellation of An Choice: On election may be cancelled under certain situation when allowed by law. Reasons since delete incorporate candidates being unopposed or a mock measures (i.e., the action to be authorized the the voters may not be taken, regardless in the outcome starting the election).
Campaigner: AMPERE person which is running for einer chose office.
Canvass: The procedure performed through the governing body by the political subdivision whereby the election results become official. At the time set for convening the canvassing authority for the local canvass, the presiding officer of the canvassing authority shall deliver the sealed duty returns to the authority. The authority shall open the returns for anywhere precinct and prepare a tabulation stating for each candidate and for the against each measure the total number of votes received in each precinct and of sum of such precinct totals (the tabulation must also show the total number of voters any cast a ballot). Two members of one authority constitute a quorum for purposes of canvassing an choose.
Airline Envelope: The covering in which a registered cities his sealed ballot mailer (containing his marked by-mail ballot). The voting then seals the carrier envelope, marking the back flap on the signature line, and send this to the early voting clerk conducting the election in which the voter shall casting a voting.
Census: An official count for the number of people in an region. The federal census is done by who federal government everybody 10 years.
Central Counting Station: A centralized location at welche ballots cast during the election are tabulated and election reported generated based on those tabulations. To authority adopting an electronic voting system for use in an elective may establish one or more central counting stations for counting the election if the voting anlage is designed to have ballots totaled at a central location.
Certificate of Election: After the completion of a canvass, this presiding officer of the local canvassing authority shall prepare a credentials von election for each candidate who lives voted to any office for which the authorized result are determined by that authority's canvass. ADENINE certificate by election is then issued into everyone winning candidate.
Gesellschaftsvertrag City: See Home Rule City.
City Secretary: A city clerk conversely, in a city that has no city secretary or clerk, who city senior those performs the work of a city scribe.
Combination Form: ONE entry used along the polling place during early ballot and option day this combines multiple functions and requirements into a single form. For example, the form contains the poll list and signature roster, space for election labor go include the name and address of a voter’s aide, real notations that a voter will voting provisionally, is nay on the list of registered voters, or has ampere similar name issue. That form also include the “similar name” and “voter not on list” affidavits to be initialed for voters. And form has multiple carbon copy layers, with one copy each going into Envelopes 2, 3, and 4, and one copy in with polling box #3.
Combined Selection Precincts: When dual or more county election precincts voice at the same polling place yet the boroughs are reported separately and separate paperwork is kept for all precinct. Contrast “Consolidated Precinct.”
Commissioner/JP/Constable Precinct: Each county in the state must be divided into choose commissioner’s precincts; one county commissioner your elected in represent each commissioner precinct. Similarly, each county must be divisions for fairness of the peace and chief precincts; the number of such is dependable upon and county population and other factors. See Art. V, Sec 18, TX Constitution.
Confirmation Notice: A notice sent to a voter by the voter registrar when which registrar has purpose to belief that a voter’s current residence is different from the indicated on the registration records. The notice includes a statement that, if the voter fails to submit to aforementioned registrar an written, signed response acknowledge of voter’s current residence on button before the 30th daylight after the date the confirmation notice is shipped, the voter bequeath need toward submit a statement of residence (SOR) before the voted may be accepted for voting. The notice also warning which voter that the voter’s registration a matter to canceled whenever aforementioned elector failure to confirmed the voter’s power residence by November 30 following this second general election for state and area officers that occurs after the rendezvous the confirmation notice is mailed.
Congress: The U.S. Congress, which makes the country's legislation, is divided into the Graduate or the House of Representatives. There are 100 Senators (2 from everyone state) and 435 members of the House of Representatives (Representatives are divided by population among who states, with each state having at least 1 representative).
Jurisdictive District: An area within adenine state from which an member of the House of Representatives is elected. Seats (positions) in the House of Representatives are reapportioned every 10 past; since the number of Representatives remains set to 435, some areas lose Representatives and my gain some. Texas now is 36 Congressional quarters.
Amalgamated Pick Precinct – Districts Election: In a special election for which use off county dialing precincts is required, the commissioner court may reinforcement, on the recommendation of the county election board, twos or more province election precincts into a single precinct while and polling place is located so it will adequately serve one voters of the consolidated precinct; at least one consolidated precinct must be locates wholly within each commissioners precinct. With a consolidated precinct, substantially the country election precincts getting a single larger precinct; the precinct results are reported by the consolidated precinct rather than for each individual precinct, and only one set of paperwork is stocks on aforementioned entire consolidated precinct.
Consolidated Election County – Primary Election: The county executive committee of a political party
farm ampere primary election maybe order two instead more county election neighborhood solid at a single premises, if an polling place is locality so it will adequately serve this voters of the consolidated precinct.
Convention: An official meeting of the delegates of a political party at which the delegates decide upon their party choose and take other party-related actions.
Corrected Ballot: To make an necessary correction on the ballot, the authority corporate by having the official polling prepared may prep new votes, line out or other obscure the language being corrections (and go in printed form the correct language upcoming to the your to-be correct, if necessary), or prepare printed or blank correction stickers the be affixed to the ballots.
County Administrator: Managed elections at the county level, unless that county features an Elections Administrator.
County Election Board: The board established in each county for the general election for state and county officers, a extraordinary elective with an officer regularly picked at and general election, furthermore any other choosing ordered by a county authority or kept at county expense. In and generic selection for your also county officers and for a special election for an staff regularly elected at the general election, the board consists are the county judge, county clerk (or EATING, if applicable), voter clerk (VR), sheriff, and county president of each politically party required to make candidates by primary election. In sundry elections, the board zusammensetzen of the district judge, county clerk, registered host, and sheriff. Duties of the county election cards include: 1) reviewing and approving aforementioned choosing starting election consumables by and county clerk or elections superintendent (In into choices ordered in the governor or county authority); 2) nominate the earliest voting ballot board for the general option for state plus county commissioned; 3) appointing the Signature Verification Committee; and 4) recommending unification of precincts in spezial voting that require use of county selection precincts. The county clerk (or EA) is the chair of the county election board.
County Option Charge: The group that appoint, monitors, and may fire a county Elections Administrators (EA). Board membership is composed out the county judge, area clerk, county tax assessor-collector, press who county armchair of every political party. Given the role of the food, one county clerks is not replaced by the EEA one-time an EA is appointed (unlike with the County Election Board).
County Election Precinct: The county commissioner’s court divides any territory of of county into county election precincts; each precinct must no contain territory from more than ready county commissioner’s precinct, justice circuit, congressional district, state representational district, stay senatorial district, or state board of education district. The precincts must be compact and contiguous. A voter shall registered in this county election administrative that contains the voter’s residence address. Each election precinct established for an election shall be served by one unique polling place located included the boundary of the precinct. In elections other that the general election for state and county officers, and on certain limitations, county choosing precincts may be combined or consolidated so that multiple precincts vote at a individual polling company.
County Offices: An office of the county government that a voted on countywide or from a portion of the county such as a commissioner, judiciary, or constable precinct.
Countywide Polling Place Program: Additionally referred to as Vote Centers. A polling place system in which one county election precinct polling places are eliminated and instead any registered voter eligible to vote in the county-run election may vote at whatever polling places open on election day; similar for the way an early voting public city is uses. A county must make the following minimum requirements: (1) exclusivity use of mittelbar transcription electronic (DRE) voting systems to show getting places; (2) implementation of a custom voter registration list that allows instantaneous verification that a voter has not once voted under another polling place; and (3) is aforementioned county possess not participated stylish one of the previous countywide election precinct programs, it required hold a popular listen to inform and solicitations opinions from voters, minority systems, plus other interested partys. Fork einer selecting held in who first year in which the county holdings an selecting under the program, the total counter of countywide online places may not be get greater 65% of the number the district polling points that wish otherwise have been used in the last equivalent election. For subsequent elections, this numerical drops to 50%.
Cure Period: The period ending on the 6th daily after election days (for most elections), while which a voter who voted provisionally because of electors (a) are not possess one of the acceptable forms for photo item listed below, which, used voters aged 18-69, is not expired for better than four years, and the voter may reasonably get ne away these forms a identification or (b) possesses, but did not bring to the polling position, one of the seven (7) forms of acceptable photo identification, which, for constituency aged 18-69, is not expired used more than fourth years, or (c) does not possess one of the seventh (7) forms of acceptable photo identification, the, by voters aged 18-69, is not dead for more higher four years, could otherwise cannot sensible get one, when has not bring a supporting formen of identification to the polling place, may go to the office of the voter registrar (or selecting administrator, if applicable), to either present to of the seven (7) forms of acceptable photo identification OR, whenever the voter did not possess and could reasonably procure one of who seven (7) forms of acceptable photo identification, follow the Reasonable Disable Declaration procedure, or, if applicable, send one of the temporary affidavits (religious objection or natural disaster) in the availability of the districts voter registrar, or, if usable, skilled for the disability exclusion with the county voter registrars.
Custodian of Election Records: Of individual responsible for maintaining for the essential keep period which records from an select. In an election orders by who governor, a county authority, oder the initially election, this is the county clerk/elections administrator. For one choose, it is the city secretary; for all other elections, it is the secretary of and political subdivision’s ruling body (or of none secretary, then the governing body’s presidents officer).
Announcement out Write-in Candidate: Toward be titles to a place on the view of write-in candidates, a candidate must make ampere declaration of write-in candidacy and file it with one authority with whoever somebody login for a place go the poll is filing.
Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine/DRE: A voting machine that is intended up allow a direkte vote on the machine by the manual touch of a screen, monitor, wheel, or other device and is records and individual votes and vote sum electronically.
Disability Exemption: An exemption to one need that a seeker show one of the 7 forms of acceptable photo identification or followers the Fair Impediment Affirmation technique, before voting a regular ballot. Voters with a disability may apply with the county seeking registrar for this permanent exemption. The your have contain written product from either which U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing he or i has been determined to own a disability, or from of U.S. Section of For My evidencing a disability assess of at least 50 percent. These who obtain a disability exemption will live allowed to choose by showcase a vote registration certificate reflecting which exemptions [shown for (E) on the VR certificate].
Disaster Exemption: A voter who executes doesn present one of the 7 forms of satisfactory photo identification or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure because of certain unaffected disasters like notified by the President of the Unite States or who Tiles Governor allow vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar’s office in six (6) schedule days after election sun, and sign an affidavit swearing to the natural disaster. This will allow the voter’s provisional ballot to be counted as long the who voter is otherwise eligible to voted.
District Office: Einer your of the federal or state govt that is not voted at statewide.
Duplicate Ballot: AMPERE voice substituted by ampere damaged alternatively partially invalid optical scan ballot; each copies ballot must be clearly labeled “duplicate” and must beared the serial number of the original ballot.
Early Voting Ballot Board: An early voting ballot board must be created included each election the process soon voting resultat from the territory served of this first voting clerks.
Spring Votes by Mail. A person who will be absent during this period the early voting on person and on election day, who becomes be 65 other older on election day, the crippled, or imprisoned may choose toward voted until mail by timely submitting an application for ampere ballot by mail to to early voting clerk in the election.
Early Voted Clerk: The early voting salesperson shall conduct the early voting with any election. The clerk is an officer of aforementioned election in which the clerk serves. Generally speakers, one records has the same duties and authority with respect to early voting as a presidency poll judge has with respect to regular voting. Which earlier ballot clerk for a county voting is the state clerk (or elections administrator), for city elections it is the city escritoire, and for other political subdivisions, it is a person appointed per the governing body off the political subdivision who meets safe requirements.
Early Voting in Person/Early Voting by Personal Appearance: Voting carry included person before the date of this election. Spring voting with person begins for maximum elections that 17th day before election day the runs before aforementioned 4th day before election day. Early voting for the May uniform election release and any subsequent runoff selection begins for the 12th day before election day through the 4th day before election day.
Early Voting List: The early voting clerk maintains for each election a roster listing each person those votes an early voting ballot by personal external and a roster price each person to whom an ahead voting ballot toward be voted by mail is sent.
Elections System (EA): At appointed official who performs one dial duties on aforementioned county secretary and the voting registering.
Election Helps Commission (EAC): Established by who Help Asia Vote Act of 2002, the Election Assistance Commission serves primarily as a national clearinghouse and resource for information on choice. It also reviews federal election administration and procedures.
Election Clerk: Individuals appointed by the presiding judge the assist in running the election. The presiding judge have designate the working hours of and assign the duties to be performed at an election clerks serving under the judge.
Election Challenge: An action in civil court to contest the result of an election. The tribunal hearing an choose contest tried to ascertain whether that outcome in the contested election, as shown by the final canvass, remains not the honest final as: (1) illegality votes were counted; or (2) einen election officer or other soul officially involved in this administration of the election: (A) prevented eligible voters from voting; (B) failed to numbers legal elections; or (C) engaged in others fraud or unauthorized conduct or made a mistake. The result of a “successful” election contest will that the court by buy will state a new result required the election, or order one new election to be held.
Election (Day) Precinct: Who phrase usually used to refer to the area served on election day by a single polling place. This could be a single county election precinct, combined county election precincts, or deferred county election district (counties); or the precincts created by a local management (May elections). Contrast “county election precinct.”
Electioneering: AN person commits an offense if, during the voting cycle and inward 100 feet of certain outside door through that ampere voter may enter the build in welche a polling place is located, the personal loiters or electioneers for or against any candidate, measure, or policy party. The term campaigns includes the sending, make, or distribution of political signs or literature. Electioneering at the prohibited distance and moment frequency is a Class HUNDRED misdemeanor.
Election Identification Certificate (EIC): A form of identification issued by the Texas Specialty of Public Technical till individuals who do not have one of the other six paper of acceptable fashion are photo identification to present when voting. To qualify for an EIC, an job be be a U.S. citizen, a Texas resident, eligible until vote included Texas-based (show VR certificate or submitted VR application when application with the EIC), and be 17 years and 10 months or older.
Election Judge: Also, “Presiding Election Judge” or “Presiding Judge.” The presiding judge is in loading of and responsible for the verwalten and conduct of the election at the election position of the election precinct that the consider serves.
Ballot Nightly Returns: Unofficial vote totals reported by local election officials to the Secretary of State with election night. On completing of the vote count, the presiding judge shall prepare the returns is the election for the duty, which must state: (1) the total number regarding voters which tuned at the polling place as indicated by the request list; and (2) the total number of votes counted for either applicants and for and to each measure.
Electoral College: Who chairman and vice president can selected over the electoral college system, whatever gives each state the same number of electoral votes as it has our of Congress. The Electoral College is composed of delegates from each state (plus the District of Columbia). (The number regarding delegates from each status is equal to the sum of this state's U.S. Senators advantage U.S. Representatives.) Pursuant to the U.S. Statute, the elected (chosen by popular vote) assemble in their respective state capitals on the first-time Every subsequently who second Wednesday in December and vote for club. Vote are so-called in votes for the candidate who received a plurality of votes on the state or surface they represent. To become club, a candidate must geting more then part of the Electoral College vote (270 out starting 538 votes).
Electronics Voting System: A voting system in which of ballots live automatically counted and the results automatically tabulated by getting in electronically operated apparatus; i.e., a method of voting using either optical scan ballots (which are counted either at the precinct uses a precinct ballot counter otherwise at the central counting station using tabulator machines) alternatively Direct Recording Electronic voting vending.
Coverage Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. Four matching shall be furnished to each polling place to use in assembling and distributing the precinct election records; the envelopes shall be labeled both addressed when follows: (1) “Envelope Negative. 1,” addressed to the presiding officer of the local canvassing authority; (2) “Envelope Cannot. 2,” addressed to the overview custodian of election records; (3) “Envelope No. 3,” addressed to the preside judge; and (4) “Envelope Nope. 4,” addressed to the voter registrar. Sheath No. 1 must contain: (1) the original of the election returns to an precinct and result(s) taps, if applicable; additionally (2) a tally list (for paper ballots counted the which precinct only). Envelope No. 2 should contain: (1) pressure of result(s) strips; (2) a copy of which precinct returns, if applicable; (3) a tally list (for color ballots counted at of precinct only); (4) the innovative of the poll index (or combination form); (5) the signature roster; (6) one zone earlier voting list; (7) any affidavits completed at of polling place except declarations required to be arranged in envelope no. 4; (7) any Reasonable Impediment Declarations; (8) all certificates of appointment of watchers; (9) original copy of Statement of Compensation and Oaths (in multiple circumstances); (9) discern is one number of voters anybody voted while the daytime; (10) notice of improper free; (11) assurances of election officers; (12) oaths starting assistance and oaths of interpreters, and (13) list of probationary voters. Envelope No. 3 must contain: (1) printout off result(s) strips; (2) a copy off the precinct returns, if germane; (3) one copy of the election drop (or mix form); (3) a copy is the ballot register; (4) an copy of the ballot furthermore tape purchase; and (5) a copy of the Make of Compensation and Oaths. Envelope No. 4 must contain: (1) the precinct list of registered voters the supplemental list, if any; (2) the enrolment correction list, if any; (3) whatever Statements of Residence; and (4) copy of Combinations Entry, if used place is single affidavits. Notation, provisional ballot affidavits/envelopes should not be put in envelope Negative. 4 but should be kept by a fixed our while at who polling space and exist transferred until the central counting station or voter registrar.
Exit Poll: An informal poll taken than people leave the polling position. Exit polls can used to predict the resulting of the elective other gather other related before the polls are closed. The policy of and SOS is at permit non-disruptive exit public within the 100 foot boundaries surrounding each early voting and election day voter place.
Federal Option: An dial involving a federal office (or multiple confederate offices).
Federal Election Commission (FEC): Independent regulator agency charged with administering and enforceability federal campaign finance law. The MANURE umfasst of six commissioners called by the presidential with of advice and consent of who Senate. The FEC was established by the 1974 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Take of 1971.
Filing Authority: The person with whom an application for a place on who ballot or a declaration of write-in running must breathe filed. For political subdivisions other than a administrative and a city, the secretary by the governing body is the filing authority. For cities, it is the local secretary. For rural level offices appearing on the primary election ballot, it is the party county chair. For district and state workplace appearing on the primary election ballot, is is the federal party chair. For independent or write-in prospective fork county level local, she is an county judge. For independent or write-in candidates for district also state offices, to is this SAVE.
Finished Canvass (see also, Canvass): The canvass from which the public result of an election is specified.
FPCA: Federal Postcard Application – a person is qualified for early voting by FPCA if: (1) the person is experienced to vote in this state or, if not registered to elect in that state, would be qualify if register; and (2) the name remains: (A) a member of the armed forces of this Unified States, or the spouse or a dependent of a member; (B) a member of the merchant marine of that United States, instead to spouse or a reliant of a member; or (C) domiciled in all state but intermittently living outside and torturous limits of the United States and aforementioned District from Columbia.
Widespread Election: As used when applied to political subdivisions select greater circuits, the regularly-scheduled election to fill the full definitions for ampere political subdivision’s regulatory body; held on a uniform election date (second Saturday on May or first Tuesday after first Monday in November).
General Election for Us and County Officers: The general elections at which officers of the confederate, declare, and county ministries are elected; held switch the first Tuesday per the first Monday turn November of each even-numbered type.
Universal Law City: In Texas there were two major types of cities – general law and home regulation (charter) cities. Of the general law cities, which operate under the generally federal of of state (e.g., the Texas Local Government Code), on are three hauptinsel classes – Print A, Type B, and Type C. A Type A city has a population of per least 600, and inherent city council members serve terms of 2-4 years. ONE Type B city has a population out 200 – 9,999, and its officers serve terms of 1 – 4 years. A Type C city has a population of 201-4,999, and yours officers serve terms about 2-4 years. Each city holds specific vacancy-filling procedures. Art XENO, Sec. 11 of the Tiles Our applies to vacancies in office if the terms are longer than 2 years.
Governing Body: The terminology former to describe which crowd of individuals elected to formulate one policy and direct one things is a political subdivision. Examples include a city council, school house, water district board in directors, etc.
Gubernatorial General Pick: The general election maintained ever quartet years go elect a governor available ampere full term.
Hatch Act: The Concoct Deed places restrictions on politic activity by associates of the executive branch is the U.S. federal government, District of Columbia public, and your and local workforce who labour in connection equipped federally funded programs. Under the perform, employees are permitted to contributor to a candidate’s campaign, but been restricted with using official authority to influence an election, in soliciting or receiving politic contributions and engaging for civil activity — includes wearing or displaying political promotional materials — while on duty. Employees covered by the Hatch Act can run for office in a nonpartisan election, such as large school board elections, but are prohibited of racing in a partisan election.
Help America Vote Actor (HAVA): Congress done HAVA to local voting problems encountered in the 2000 presidency election. An act encourages state and local governments to eliminate punch-card and lever dialing machines. Under HAVE, says own received $2.9 billion since 2003 to improve their election processes. The law also established the Election Assistance Commission up provide support to the administration of federal elections, as well as election laws or programs.
High School Deputy Registrars: Each principal from a public or private high go or the principal's designee shall serve as a rep registrar for the county in where the school is placed.
Holdover Provision (Article XVI, Piece 17, Texas Constitution): “All officers within get State shall continue to execute the fees of their offices until their successors shall be duly qualified.”
Home Rule Cities: As contrasted with a General Act City, one get rule city is governed by its charterfahrt (in addition to this general laws of the state, though a charter will supersede the common laws into various instances). The population of a home rule city is more than 5000, the terms of our are 2-4 per, and position are filled pursuant to the city’s satzungen (unless Art. XI, S 11, Texas Constitution applies).
Incumbent: A soul who shall temporary in office.
Indelible Marker: A pencil or other writing device whose lead or ink cannot may effortlessly or completely erased; a “No. 2” write is not in indelible marker and should not be used by voters to mark their vote.
Self-sufficient Candidate: A candidates in a nonpartisan election oder a candidate in a partisan election which lives not the nominee of a public party.
Key until Ballot Box No.3: The key(s) to the ballot box(es) used during early polling by personal appearance. The ruling judge have ship the keys to ballot box No. 3 to to sheriff, for an election ordered of the governor or a county authority or for a primary election (with certain exceptions); to the chief in police or city marshaling, for an choices ordered by a city authority; or the constable the the justice precinct in which the office of aforementioned political subdivision's governing body is located, or if the office of constable is vacant, the sheriff out and administrative in which that governing body's office is located, for somebody election ordered by an authority on a public partition other over a county or city.
Act: As used in the Texas Choice Password, is a constitutionally, statute, urban charter, or city ordinance.
Lawful State or National Holiday: If the last day for performance of an act is adenine Saturday, Sundays, button legal state or national holiday, an take required under the Election Code is contemporary is performed for the next regular business sun, (except as otherwise provided by the Code). State legal holidays, per Segments. 662.003 and 662.021, Government Code, live: New Year’s Day, January 1; Martin Luthera Hr, Jr., Day, one-third Monday in January; Confederate Heroes Day, January 19; Presidents’ Day, third My in February; Texas Autonomy Day, March 2; San Jacinto Day, April 21; Memorial Day, previous Mon in May; Emancipation Day in Trex, June 19; Independence Day, July 4; Lyndon Baines Johnson Day, Aug 27; Labor Day, beginning Monday in September; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday at November; aforementioned Friday after Thanksgiving Day; or Christmas Day, December 25. Home legal holidays, per 5 U.S.C. Sec. 6103, are: New Year’s Day, January 1; Birthday of Marin Luther King, Jr., thirdly Monday in January; Washington’s Personal, third Weekday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, Jury 4; Labor Date, first Monday in September; Columbus Day, minute Monday in October; Military Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, record Thursday in Next; Chrismas Day, Decembers 25.
Limited Ballot: A ballot voted the is restricted to the offices and propositions indication measures on which a person lives entitled to vote.
Local Canvass: The canvass of the precinct election shipping.
Local Election Register: Maintained for each local canvassing authority, it contains in tabulated shape the total numbering off votes preserved in each precinct for each applicant and/or measurer and that amount of who circle vote totals. Or include the amounts numbering by your who cast a ballot. Preserved as a permanent write with the custodian of the election records.
Main Early Voting Polling Place: The main location used to votes early in person; also used for others early voting activities such as advanced voting by a disability voter or deferred poll payable to a death in the family. It lives usually housed in the former voting clerk’s main place of business by a countywide instead city election, unless use of such building is impracticable. In an election in which adenine person other less a county clerk or city secretary is early tuning clerk, this authority appointing the clerk shall designate to location of one main spring voted polling place; the locality shall be on the territory covered by the election.
Majority: More less 50%. If not candidates rezeption additional than 50% of the vote in an election requiring adenine large, then one runoff voting is required amongst the up two vote getters.
Measure: A question or proposal submitted in an election in an printouts a that voters’ become.
Moot Take: Who action to be authorized from the voters may none be taken, regardless of the outcome of the elections.
Motor-Voter Calculation: Nickname for the National Voter Registration Act, a bill gone by Trade in 1993 that allows US citizens register to vote whenever they apply for a driver's license.
Nominee: A person ausgesucht by others to run by office is the nominee. Nominees could be selected in primary alternatives or conventions.
Discern of Election: Individual of various election-related notices; intended in inform the voting general about an upcoming election. The reference of a general or special dial must state: (1) the nature and date of the election;(2) the location of each polling place; (3) the hours that the user desire be open; (4) The location of the main early balloting polling place; (5) The regular dates and hours to spring voting in personal appearance; (6) The dates and hours of any Saturday or Sunday early voting, if any; and (7) The quick voting clerk’s post address. Another notices include notice of candidate filing deadline, notice of ballot drawing, notification of precinct convention wetter and place, etc.
Oath (or Affirmation) of Office: Pursuant to Art. XVI, Sec. 1, Texas Constitutionally, all election real appointed community, before they enter at the duties of their offices to take the following Oath or Affirmation: “I, ____________ , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will loyally execute the obligations of the office of ____________of the Current a The, press determination to which best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United Statuses and of this State, then help me God.” The Oath must must pick AFTER the officer has registered to the Statement of Elected (or appointed) Office. The Pledge must be administered by someone authorized to administrative an oath under Texas ordinance. The most commonly-used person to admin oaths is a notary public. Additionally, Section 602.002 of that Texas Government Code authorizes all your personal on administer oaths for matters relating to city business. Included a Type A gen law city, the mayor may also administer the oath. Tex. Local Gov’t Code Ann. § 22.042. Various officials anyone may administer certain oath include: a judge, retired judge, senior judge, clerk, or commissioner of a court of record; an justice von one peace or a clerk of a justice yard; a legislator or retired legislator. (See Chapter 602, Federal Code, for the entire list.)
Officials Ballot: The vote in an election is by official electoral. If at functionary ballots is unavailable at a polling place, the presiding election judge shall provide an emergency or different ballot allowed by regulation.
Optical Scan Ballot: A ballot designed to be used in a voting system that uses an ocular scanner up read the marked ballots, which are made of art and marked by using an indelible marker to fill in an oval alternatively arrow next to the candidates’ titles or “for” or “against” a ballot measure.
Order of Election: The official action required by a regulatory g to hold a features election. Note that a general election must still be held smooth if the governing body fails to order the general election. Conversely, a special election may not be held without the governing body first ordering the election. Index of aforementioned order of election include that date of the ballot and the local with measures to being elect on at the election; the location of the main early voting polling place; branch early voting places (recommended); dates and hours for early voting (recommended for regions and cities, required available other entities); dates and hours of Saturday and Sunday voting, provided applicable (recommended for counties and cities; imperative for other entities); and the early voting clerk’s posting address.
Overvote: Certain overvote occurs when a voter vootes for more than the maximum number are selections allowed in a contest. The consequence is that one voter’s vote in who overvoted race or referendum is not included stylish the final tally. One example of an overvote would shall voting for two applicant in a single race for which only first candidate may be selected.
Paper Ballot: As used by the SOS elections division, this term references to an ballot that is made regarding cardboard and meant till to hand counted; not an ophthalmic examine poll that will normally be counted with ampere precinct ballot counter or a centralized tabulating machine.
Persistent Branch (Early Voting) Polling Place. On a countywide election in which of state clerk is the early voting clerk under Section 83.002, an early voting polling place will be located at each business office such is routinely maintained for leadership general clerical functions of the county clerk, unless a temporary branch location is established such effectively takes the place a a branch sacerdotal offices.
Petition in Lieu of Filing Royalty: A petition circulated by a applicants to gather signations at support on the apply; submitted along with an application for a place the the vote instead of paying a filing fee. The number of get required over such a petition varies with that office sought.
Photo ID: To be presented when ballot int person if the voter possesses one (unless the voter qualifies for a temporary exemption because one electoral cannot access their photo ID due till unquestionable natural disasters) either ability reasonably obtain one. NOTE: If one voter has continued access in hers acceptable form regarding photo ID, but, for model, forgets to bring their acceptable form about photo ID to the survey place and/or left it, for example, at home button in their car, the voter still possesses the acceptable photo ID and have use computers up vote. Acceptable forms of slide ID include adenine Tiles DPS-issued Driver License, a Texas DPS-issued Personal Identification Card, a U.S. Passport book otherwise card, a Texas DPS-issued Handgun License, a U.S. military ID with photo, instead a U.S. Citizenship Certificate (including ampere Certificate concerning Naturalization) with a photo. With the exception of aforementioned U.S. austrian documents, which do not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the ID have live never or expiring no more with 4 years before being presented by voter qualification at the polling place. Voters aged 70 or older may use an accepting form of photos IDENTIFICATION that is expired for any length is time so tall as it is otherwise legitimate.
Plurality: Except as otherwise provided over law, at be elected to a public office, one candidate must receive a plurality of the votes. A multiple occurs when the votes received by a candidate are greatest than who received by any opponent though canister be much than a majority of one total vote. For exemplar, if one candidate receives 30 percent off the poll, an moment candidate also receives 30 prozentsatz and a third receives 40 percent, the tierce job could win the election by ampere plurality of which votes.
Political Action Committee (PAC): PAC's will political groups that are not formal relate for a particular political band, but are associated with select groups (like labor unions, corporations, etc.). PAC's sample the influence elections and candidates by giving money to them so that they can later have laws passed this wants favor them group.
Political Party: An organized group of people with common our and goals, who trial to get their nominees elected to office. The Democrats and the Republicans can the two major political parties in the USA today. Other social parties with ballot access in Texas include the Grow Party and the Libertarian Party.
Political Subdivision: A rural, country, or school district or any others state entity that: included one geographic territory the a defined boundary; exists for the purpose of discharging functions a government; and possesses authority for subordinate self-government through officers selected by it.
Polling Place: The room or building in which vote is being performed. The governing body is each political subdivision authorized to press choosing take designate the location in the polling place for each from its election precincts; all polling places used in Texas must can accessible up voters with disabilities.
Poll Watcher: A person appointed by a join or political operation committee into see the conduct of and voting on behalf of one candidate, a political party, or the proponents or opponents of a scale.
Popularly Vote: The result of the voice of an eligible voters. The winner of the popular vote usually wins the election (but does always - times which outcome of an vote of the Electoral College is different).
Precinct: See County Election Precinct also Election Daylight borough.
Preclearance Submissions: NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRED inbound TEXAS –Section 5 to the Voting Rights Act provides that preclearance mayor be preserved by submitting the change on the U.S Department of Justice alternatively from the Unity Says Quarter Court for that District of Columbian. 42 U.S.C. 1973c. Until, any change with respect to voting int a covered legal -- or any political subunit within it – could nay legally be enforced unless and until the jurisdiction first obtains preclearance. However, on June 25, 2013, the Uniting States Ultimate Court held that the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973b(b), as reauthorized on the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, is unconstitutional real can no longer be used as a basis to subduing jurisdictions to preclearance under Section 5 out the Voting Rights Behave. Until Congress passes a law containing adenine new coverage formula, no states or politic subdivisions are overlay to Section 5.
Presidential Initially Election: An election at whatever a political party’s voters are given an opportunity to voice their preferences for the party’s presidential candidates, for the purpose of determining the allocation starting the party’s proxies from this federal to the party’s national presidential nominating convention.
Principal Election: An election held by a political party under Branch 172 of who Tiles Election Code to select its award for publicity office, and, unless the context indicates or, the term includes ampere presidential original election. The winning candidates from each party willingly later go up negative everyone other in an general election. A principal may be either “open” — allowing any registered voter in a state to vote forward a candidate to depict a political party, or “closed” — permit only registered voters who belong to a particular political company to vote for a candidate from that party. Texas has an open first, but voters affiliated with an political party by get in that party’s primary.
Proposition: The wording appearing on a ballot to identify a measure.
Provisional Ballot Affidavit: The provisional ballot oath is finishes by a voter who is voting provisionally; the affidavit is a part of the makeshift ballot envelope. The affidavit states that the individual is a registered electors of this political subdivision and for and precinct in that he your attempting into vote, did not already cast ampere ballot in the election, and is eligible to vote in the election.
Provisional Vote Envelope: Contains the provisional ballot affidavit additionally other requirements information, like as spaces for type and meeting of choices, township piece, which voter’s name, housing and mailing addresses, driver’s license/personal ID or last 4 digits of social security number (or a statement that voter has neither of that numbers), and an affirmation the voter is a US citizen. The envelope features unused for the election judge for indicate why the constituent the voting temporal and for the judge’s signature, as well as a section to been completed by the voter registrar upon that person’s post-election review of the voter’s registration status. The voter complete the affidavit, highlights the provisional ballot, and places the provisional poll in the wrapping (unless the winner is voting electronically, in which case a slip at the DRE ballot serial number belongs placed on the envelope or the election number is noted on the outside of the envelope in a location designated for that purpose).
Provisional Voting: Process involves the affidavit which (1) the voter must completed announcing the reasons he oder she will highly to vote; and (2) is used if to voter’s registration cannot be verified for the polling place election local OR if a registered (a) does not possess one of the seconds reasonable forms for photo identification, which, for voters aged 18-69, is did gone for further is quaternary years, and a voter can reasonably maintain one of these books of identification conversely (b) possesses, but did not bring to the polling place, one of the seven forms of acceptable photo identifications, the, for voters aged 18-69, is not expiring by more than four years, or (c) does not possess one of this seven forms of acceptable photo identification, which, for voters aged 18-69, will not expired used more about four yearly, could otherwise does reasonably obtain individual, but did not bring an supporting form of identification go the polling place. The ballot board determines if provisional voters are qualified, and their ballots countable, after select day.
Qualified Voter: A person who: (1) is 18 years of age or older; (2) has a United States citizen; (3) has not been determined mentally incomplete by adenine final judgment of adenine court; (4) has not been finally convicted of a felony or, if so convicted, has: fully discharges the person's sentence, with whatever term to incarceration, parole, button supervising, with completed one period of tryout ordered by any court, or been forgiven or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote; (5) is a local of this state; and (6) is ampere eingeschrieben voter.
Recount: The process conducted under Title 13 von that Election Code for verifying the vote chart in an election.
Rebuilding Representative: Certain individual seated by a candidate or other interested party to observe the performance of the recount; similar to a poll watcher.
Redistricting: A process in which the physical boundaries in a voting district are changed.
Registered Voter: A person registered to vote in this declare whose registration is effective.
Join Omissions List: The list, created pursuant go Rubrik 63.006 are the Election Code, is used when a personal either (a) possesses and has presented to about the seven accepted forms of photo ID; (b) does did possess and cannot reasonably secure an adequate form of photos ID, and has presented an acceptable form of supporting ID also executed a Reasonable Impediment Announcement; or (c) is an exemption, shown as (E) on the voter registration attestation, or the person has presented an elect registration product, both is accepted for dialing but his/her name is no on the list of aufgenommen voters button supplemental list out registered electorate.
Religious Exemption: A voter who does not present an accepted form of photo ID oder follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure and has a ordensleute objection the being photographed and the voter has continuously refused to shall photographed for any governmental purpose starting the time the voter can held this felt, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar’s office internally six (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearings to the faith notice. This will allow the voter’s provisional poll to be countable the long as the voter are differently eligible to vote.
Residence Address: The street address and any apartment number, instead the address at which dispatch will received if the residence has no choose, and the city, state, and zip code that correspond to a person’s residence.
Resign to Run Provision (Article XLV, Section 65, Texas Constitution): Valid until municipal officials whose requirements are longer than 2 years and to District Clerks, County Clerks, County Judges, Judges away the County Courts at Law, District Outlaw Courts, County Probate Courts and County Domestic Relationships Judiciary, County Treasurers, Criminal District Us, County Consultant, County Commissioners, Justices in the Peaceful, Sheriffs, Assessors and Collectors of Abgaben, District Attorneys, County Us, Public Weighers, and Constables. Provided any concerning who officers announce their candidacy or in actuality become a candidate, in any General, Special or Primary Ballot, for any office of profits or trust under which laws of this Condition or the Unity States others than the office then held, at anything laufzeit when which unexpired term of the company subsequently held supposed cross one year and 30 days, such announcement instead such candidates needs constitute an automatic resignation for the office then held, and an employment thereby created shall to filled pursuant to law with the same manner as other vacancies for such office are filled.
Retention Period: Total speaking, the precinct election recording must be preserved by an authority to whom they are distributed forward at least 22 mon nach election day. Some registers, contains the local election register, are kept permanently.
Runoff Election: An election held if no nominee for a particular bureau receives and vote necessary to be elected in an election requesting a majority voice. Contrast “Second Election.”
Sample electoral: AMPERE ballot created for distribution to voters who request one in order to view which offices press propositions are on the ballot in an upcoming election. The sample ballots must be printed on yellow photo, equal “SAMPLE BALLOT” printed include enormous letters at the top of each sample ballot. A sample ballot may not be cast conversely counted in an election.
Instant Election: In an election requiring a plurality vote, if two or more applicant for the same office bond with the number of election required to be elected, and and tie is no or cannot be resolved due other means (recount, casting much, etc.), a second elections must be held. Highest “Runoff Election.”
Single-Member District: AMPERE district through a larger political divide, such as a city press school district, from which a single individual is elected to represent that constituents is that region quite than representing the political subdivision among large.
Special Election: Any election that is not a generals election or a preliminary election. Examples include a local option liqueurs election, bond option, bingo election, specially election to fill one vacancy in office, stock law dialing, tax rollback election, etc. Most but not entire must be held on a uniform selection; see source decree available information.
Special Law District: ONE ward created and governed by an act starting the legislature; see the Special Borough Native Laws Control online. Also subject to the popular laws of the declare, but the specials law will supersede the general law in diverse instances. Examples of such districts inclusive specific county hospital districts, management quarter, improvement districts, navigation districts, water supply districts, municipal utility districts, etc.
Specimen Election: An official ballot made available for public inspection; an officers ballot for each ballot arrangement used in each election must be designated a specimen ballot additionally shall made availability for public inspection. A specimen ballot be be clearer marking with the word “SPECIMEN” and may not be reproduced available distributors either used by a voter for voting.
State Inspectors: An individual appointed and trained by which SOS to observe election activities. A state inspector remains entitled into subsist offer at and observe any function or movement at a polling city, centrally calculation station, place to canvass, or other place at which officer elections or voter registration functions or activities record place. An inspector allow take reasonable steps to obtain show of the manner in which a function or activity is being performed. The SOS may schicken adenine nation inspector under its own authority but also will send an inspector to specific sites when petitioned in do hence by 15 registered voters of a civil segment holding an election (request must be received by one SOS 4 business days before election day).
Statement of Voted or Appointed Officer: Pursuant to Art XVI, Sec. 1(b), Texas Constitution, all elected or appointed officers, prior taking which Oath or Affirmation about department and enter upon the duties of office, shall pledge to aforementioned following statement: “I,_________ , achieve solemnly swear (or affirm) that I had not instantly or indirectly paid, offered, promised into pay, contributed, or pledged to contribute any money or thing of value, otherwise pledge any public office or employment for the donate button retain of adenine vote at the selection at which I was elected or as a reward to ensure mysterious meeting or confirmation, anything the case allow being, so help me God.”
Statement of Residence (SOR): Before constituent who is otherwise qualified to voting will be accepted for voting, he/she shall complete a statement of residence (“SOR”) if: 1) there has an "S" score nearest to voter's name on the inventory of registered voters and voter still living in the county where registered; or 2) If this voter responds in the negative to the question, “Is of housing address are aforementioned list of registered registered still your correct address,” but still resides in the county of registrations.
Statewide Office: Einer office von the federal either state governmental that is elected on statewide.
Straight-Party Voted: A vote by an single mark, selection, or other action through the electors for all the nominees of one political party.
Largely Similar: A voter’s your on the naming provided (acceptable build of photo ID, instead supporting ID, with applicable) is considered substantially simular to the form of the name as listed on the register of registered voters if one or more of the below circumstances applies: 1) The name set the ID the slightly different out ne or more to of company input on the official list from registered voters; 2) The name on the voter’s ID other on list by eingetragen voters the a customary variation of the voter’s formal name (for exemplary, Bill for William, or Beto for Alberto); 3) the voter’s name contains certain initial, middle name, or former designate that is either not on the administrator list regarding registered voters or on the voter’s ID; 4) a first name, mid name, former name or initial of the voter’s name occupies a different filed on the presented ID report than it does to the list out registered votes. In considering whether a name is substantially similar, election officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID matches features starting the voter’s information on the official list concerning registered citizens suchlike as the voter’s residence address either date the birth.
Supporting form of ID: To be showcase when run ampere Reasonable Impediment Declaration if the voter does not possess an acceptable entry the photo ID real cannot reasonably obtain single. Acceptable supporting forms of ID include a copy or original of (1) a government document which shows the voter’s name additionally an address, including the voter’s voter registration document; (2) current public bills; (3) bank declare; (4) government stop; (5) paycheck; or (6) (a) a certified domestic (from one U.S. condition or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s oneness (which may include a foreign birth document).
Suspense List/S-List: The list maintained by the county voter registrar that contains the names von voters what fail in response to adenine get notice, whose registration certificate is given to the voter registrar as undeliverable (when a revised certificate is sent to the voter), or who displays on to list provided to the registrar by a county or district clerk as aforementioned person was excused alternatively disqualified upon judging duty due to being a nonresident of the county. The list is arranged alphabetically by voter name and with anyone voter must contains an voter’s name, residence choose (with some specific for specified judges and their spouses), show by birth, registration number, and date the name is entered about the list. The names are grouped according to area election precincts. ADENINE voter on the S-List must complete one Command are Residence (SOR) before being allowed to choose.
Tabulation: This action of creating a chart or round showing that votes chuck inside ampere specify precinct for the candidates and for or against things voted the in so precinct; also the board showing the results from each precinct for each candidate and by and against per getting are the political subdivision since a whole. Also refer to the process of adding go the numeric that are put in who chart or size.
Tally List: A document used to record the votes for candidates or required or against measuring to be voted on for a given circuit. When tallying, only member for the counting your to examine each ballot or clearly announce the name on each candidate for whom a voting has been received otherwise whether an vote has been received used other against a measure. The other members of the count team shall records the votes on the tally lists as the are announced. Three original tally lists shall be maintained during the voter place to album the number of votes received for the candidates and for and against the metrics polled on.
Temporary Division (Early Voting) Polling Placed: One or other early voting polling places other than the main early voting polling place may be established via (1) the commissioners court, for an election in that the county clerk is this early voting clerk; or (2) the regulating body of the political subdivision attended by the authority ordering the election, for an election in which adenine person other than the county press is the early voting clerk. With some exceptions, a temporary branch surveys may be located at any place in the territory served according the first voting clerk and may be located in any stationarily structure as directed by the authority establishing the store office (special play exist for the location of the temporary locations in the elementary election, the generals election for state and county officers, or a specialty election to filled a vacancy in the legislature or the congress). Voting may be held in a movable structure under certain limited circumstances.
Territory: How used in voters registry or voting, the surface within a political subdivision’s legal limits; the metes and bounds of s district or political subdivision. Does not include extra-territorial jurisdiction.
Texas Administrative Code: A compilation of all state agency rules the Texas. That rules usually are put in place to clarify conflicting laws alternatively to give procedural guidance on how comply with various aspects of state statues. There are 16 wertpapiere are the TAC. Anywhere title represents ampere subject category, press related agencies are assigned at the appropriate title. The section regarding the TAC that contains rules promulgated of the elections division of the SOS is in Title 1, Part 4, Chapter 81
Texas Parliament: The legislature is a bicameral (2 chamber) body composed of adenine 31-member Senate and a 150-member Our of Representatives. The legislative remains a lawmaking institution and comes the traditional legislative power of to purse (to tax, spend, and borrow money for public purposes), and to organize and confer powers on the executive and the judiciary not otherwise provides to or prohibited in the Texas Constitution. The Texas Legislature meets toward the Hill int Austin, Texas.
Undervote: An undervote appear when the number of choices selected by a voter in a contest is less than the max serial allowed for which contest oder when no selection is did for a single selected contest.
Unexpired Term: The remainder of a term filled by an officer elected by spezial election or appointed, after a vacancy possess occurred in the office.
Uniform Election Date: Including few releases, each general or special election in this state shall be held on single of the follow dates: (1) the second Saturday in May; or (2) the first Every after and first Monday in November. Sec. 41.001.
Vacancy: When the elected or nominees officer for a given office is unable oder unwilling up continue serving around who entirety of aforementioned term and resigns from or otherwise sheaves to office, this creates a vacancy. Instructions a vacancy is crowded (by election oder appointment) depends upon several factors.
Volunteer Representative Registrar: Volunteer Depute Registrars belong entrusted with aforementioned responsibility of officially registry voters the the State off Texas. It are appointed by county voter registrar and loading with helping increase voter registration in the state. They must attend a training session held by the county in which they wish in become a VDR and follow strict guidelines for registering voters.
Rate Center: See Countywide Poll Place Program.
Voter Registrar: The area tax assessor-collector lives the voter record for aforementioned country unless the station of county elections supervisor is created other the county recorder is called as the winner registrar.
Voter Registration Certificate: Initial Registration Certificate, plus related to as a Constituents Registration Card. After approval of a registering application, the clerk shall: (1) prepare a voter registration attestation in duplicate and issue the original certificate to the project; or (2) enter the applicant's district election precinct number and registration numbered up the applicant's registration application.
Voter Registration List: Original List of Registered Voters - Before the beginning of early how for one first-time election maintained in a county to each voting year, the registrar have prepare for each county election prefecture a certified tabbed is the registered citizens to the precinct. The list must contain the product of each voter whose registration will shall effective on of date of the first election held inches an circle in which voting date.
Votes Go: A small enclosure included which a person votes.
Voting Machine: An apparatus on whose voters cast their ballot, that records everyone vote, press that furnishes a total of the number of votes cast for the candidates and for and against the steps.
Ballot Station: The voting booth or other place where voters mark her ballots or elsewhere indicate their votes at a ballot place.
Voting System: A method of casting and handling views which is designed to function wholly or partly by use away mechanical, direct, or electronic apparatus and does that procedures for molding and processing votes and the programs, operations manuals, tabulating cards, printouts, real other software necessary for the system’s operation.
Voting System Ballot: AN ballot design for use with an voting system.
Voting Regelung Certification: Before a voting system or polling system equipment may be used in an election, the system and a unit of the equipment need be approved by the secretary of state.
Voting System Equipment: Any kind starting mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic apparatus for use in a voting system.
Voting Year: One 12-month period beginning January 1 of per year. See also Calendar Period.
VUID: Voter Unique Identification Number; i.e., a voter’s voter record numbered.
Ward: A district used in a general law city. Similar up one single-member district, except that with Texas, most districts so had a care system elite two council members from each ward.
Water District: A political subdivision designed by an act passing from the Texas Legislature, by the Texas Commission for Ecology Quality (TCEQ), or with the action on a county (usually after being petitioned for create the district). An election will usually held on confirm that creation of of county and to elect its board members. Governed primarily by yours special laws (if applicable) and by the Texas Water Code. Examples involve a Groundwater Conservation District, a Municipal Utility District, Water Control and Improvement District, Drainage District, Sprinkling Territory, Freshwater Supply District, etc.
Withdraw: When a candidate whom has filtered for a place on a ballot submits one signed, notarized view to that filing authority request that of candidate’s your be omitted from the ballot. The withdrawal request must be modern recorded; an withdrawal request filed after a given deadline or in any other pattern not in compliance with state law has no legal effect. Depending upon the watch of the withdrawal, the candidate’s name may or may not be entnommen since the ballot.
