TX SB1597

Allows commissioners courts and political party executive committees to combine election precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters when redistricting creates small precincts, in order to reduce costs for election equipment, supplies, and personnel

Permits counties with populations of 250,000 or more to combine precincts containing between 500 and 750 registered voters under the same authority

Removes the previous restriction that limited precinct combination authority to counties with populations under 1.2 million that do not use countywide polling places, though this population limit still applies to combinations based on inability to secure suitable polling locations

Maintains the 10,000 registered voter cap for precincts combined due to lack of suitable polling locations, and requires all combined precincts comply with maximum population limits under Section 42.006

Prohibits precinct combinations that would dilute voting strength or representation of groups protected under the federal Voting Rights Act, or discourage their political participation

Effective date is September 1, 2025