Tex. Election Code Section 31.020
County Election Office Oversight by Secretary

(a)

If the secretary of state implements administrative oversight under Section 31.017 (Implementation of Administrative Oversight of County Election), the secretary shall provide written notice to the county election official with authority over election administration or voter registration and the county judge of the determination by the secretary to implement administrative oversight in the county. The notice must include the specific recurring pattern of problems with election administration or voter registration identified by the secretary under Section 31.017 (Implementation of Administrative Oversight of County Election)(a)(3).

(b)

The authority of administrative oversight over a county granted to the secretary of state under this subchapter must include:

(1)

requiring the approval and review by the secretary of state of any policies or procedures regarding the administration of elections issued by the county; and

(2)

authorizing all appropriate personnel in the secretary of state’s office to conduct in-person observations of the county election office’s activities, including any activities related to election preparation, early voting, election day, and post-election day procedures.

(c)

The county election office being overseen by the secretary of state shall provide sufficient access to the appropriate personnel in the secretary of state’s office to perform their duties under Subsection (b).

(d)

Once each quarter during the period when the secretary of state is overseeing elections in a county under Subsection (a), the secretary shall submit a report regarding the activities of the oversight personnel to the members of the county election commission and the county attorney.

(e)

The secretary of state shall deliver the report required by Subsection (d) in person to the county commissioners court if requested by the commissioners court.

(f)

The secretary of state shall conduct the administrative oversight of a county until the earlier of:

(1)

December 31 of the even-numbered year following the first anniversary of the date the complaint was received under Section 31.017 (Implementation of Administrative Oversight of County Election)(a)(1); or

(2)

the date on which the secretary of state determines that the recurring pattern of problems with election administration or voter registration is rectified.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 957 (S.B. 1933), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Section 31.020 — County Election Office Oversight by Secretary, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.­31.­htm#31.­020 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

31.001
Chief Election Officer 31.002
Official Forms 31.003
Uniformity 31.004
Assistance and Advice 31.005
Protection of Voting Rights 31.006
Referral to Attorney General 31.007
Suspension of Provisions Implementing National Voter Registration Act 31.008
Collection of Information: Forum on Election Cost Savings 31.009
Distribution of Certain Funds 31.010
Implementation of Federal Help America Vote Act 31.011
Election Improvement Fund 31.012
Voter Education 31.013
Mobile Locations for Obtaining Identification 31.014
Certification of Electronic Devices to Accept Voters 31.016
Voting Information on Secretary of State’s Website 31.017
Implementation of Administrative Oversight of County Election 31.018
Notice of Complaint 31.019
Investigation of Complaint 31.020
County Election Office Oversight by Secretary 31.021
Removal or Termination of County Election Official After Administrative Oversight 31.0021
Certain Official Forms: Inclusion of Nepotism Information 31.022
Rules 31.031
Creation of Position 31.032
Appointment of Administrator 31.033
Commission Meetings 31.034
Eligibility 31.035
Restrictions on Political Activities 31.036
Resignation 31.037
Suspension or Termination of Employment 31.038
Filling Vacancy 31.039
Salary 31.040
Bond 31.041
Seal 31.042
Transfer of Records 31.043
Duties of Administrator Generally 31.044
Division of Certain Duties Between County Clerk and Administrator 31.045
Classification of Duties by Secretary of State 31.046
Misdirection of Document 31.047
Action by Wrong Officer 31.048
Abolishing Position 31.049
Criminal Penalties 31.050
Abolishment of Position and Transfer of Duties in Certain Counties 31.0055
Voting Rights Hotline 31.071
Transfer of Duties 31.072
Applicability of Other Sections 31.073
Transfer of Records 31.074
Appropriation by Commissioners Court 31.075
Guidelines 31.076
Rescission of Transfer Order 31.091
Definitions 31.092
Contract for Election Services Authorized 31.093
Duty to Contract 31.094
Services Performable Under Contract 31.095
Delegation to Deputies 31.096
Nontransferable Functions 31.097
Early Voting 31.098
Payment of Election Expenses 31.099
Filing Copies of Contract 31.100
Disposition of Contract Money 31.121
Presiding Officer Failing to Act 31.122
Office Hours of Election Authority During Election Period 31.123
Appointment of Agent During Election Period 31.124
Provision of Notice to County Chairs by Election Authority 31.125
County Website 31.126
Prohibited Contributions 31.127
Training 31.128
Restriction on Eligibility 31.129
Civil Penalty 31.130
Suit Against Election Officer 31.151
Definition 31.152
Creation of Position 31.153
Joint Elections Commission 31.154
Appointment of Joint Elections Administrator 31.155
Commission Meetings 31.156
Eligibility 31.157
Resignation 31.158
Termination of Employment 31.159
Filling Vacancy 31.160
Salary 31.161
Bond 31.162
Seal 31.163
Transfer of Records 31.164
Duties of Administrator Generally 31.165
Division of Certain Duties Between Officer and Administrator 31.166
Classification of Duties by Secretary of State 31.167
Misdirection of Document 31.168
Action by Wrong Officer 31.169
Addition or Withdrawal of Political Subdivisions 31.170
Abolishing Position 31.171
Criminal Penalties 31.0925
Request for Services Required
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Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 31.020’s source at texas​.gov