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Texas Senate Bill 392

Posted 3/5/09 Brandy M. Wingate,

Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston) proposed SB 392, which would amend the election code to remove judicial races from the straight-party voting option. The proposed amendment would place judicial races at the end of the ballot, and voters would be required to cast separate votes for judicial races. The bill does, however, allow the judicial candidate's party affiliation to be listed on the ballot. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to develop procedures for informing voters that straight-party voting will not be applied to judicial races, including signs at the polling places and notice on the ballot or voting system used. The text of this bill can be viewed at www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB00392I.pdf (Last visited Mar. 4, 2009).