TX SB985

Allows commissioners courts and political party executive committees to combine county election precincts with fewer than 3,000 registered voters following redistricting to avoid unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and personnel

Removes the previous restriction that limited precinct combination authority to counties with populations under 1.2 million that do not participate in countywide polling place programs

Permits combining precincts in counties not using countywide polling places when a suitable polling location cannot be secured, provided the combined precinct adequately serves voters and contains no more than 10,000 registered voters

Prohibits combined precincts that would dilute voting strength or representation of groups protected under the federal Voting Rights Act, or that would discourage participation by such groups

Requires combined precincts to be treated as a single precinct for appointing presiding and alternate election judges under existing Chapter 32 procedures

Takes effect September 1, 2025; passed Senate 31-0, House 94-52