89R10871 JDK-F     By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2816       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the partial count of electronic voting system ballots.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 127.201, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsection (a-1)   to read as follows:          (a)  To ensure the accuracy of the tabulation of electronic   voting system results, the general custodian of election records   shall conduct a manual count of all the races in:                (1)  at least one percent of the election precincts or   in three precincts, whichever is greater, in which the electronic   voting system was used; or                (2)  at least one percent of polling places   participating in the countywide polling place program under Section   43.007 or in three countywide polling places, whichever is greater,   in which the electronic voting system was used on election day and   during early voting by personal appearance.          (a-1)  The custodian shall select the precincts or   countywide polling places for a manual count under Subsection (a)   at random and shall begin the count not later than 72 hours after   the polls close.  The count shall be completed not later than the   21st day after election day.  Subsection (b) supersedes this   subsection to the extent of a conflict.          (b)  In a general election for state and county officers,   primary election, or election on a proposed amendment to the state   constitution or other statewide measure submitted by the   legislature, the secretary of state shall select, in accordance   with rules adopted by the secretary, the precincts or countywide   polling places to be counted under Subsection (a).  The secretary   shall designate not more than three offices and not more than three   propositions to be counted in the selected precincts or countywide   polling places.  The secretary shall notify the general custodian   of election records of the precincts or countywide polling places,   offices, and propositions selected under this subsection not   earlier than the day after election day.          (c)  On selection or notification, as applicable, of the   precincts or countywide polling places to be counted, the general   custodian of election records shall post on the county's Internet   website home page [in the custodian's office] a notice of the date,   hour, and place of the count.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.