Relating to the use of a building owned or controlled by a public school as a polling place.
Summary
SB 567 amends the Texas Election Code to restrict where polling places may be located in buildings owned or controlled by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. Under current law, public buildings generally must be made available for use as polling places when practicable. The bill keeps that general rule but creates a specific exception for school-controlled buildings, prohibiting their use as polling places unless the building is not on or adjacent to a school campus, or unless the building is in a county with a population of 50,000 or less and the election authority cannot find a reasonable alternative location.
The bill also retains existing restrictions on using a candidate’s residence as a polling place, with only technical renumbering changes to that section. The measure would take effect September 1, 2025, and would change election administration by narrowing the pool of eligible polling locations, especially in or near school facilities.
Impact
SB 567 would amend Section 43.031 of the Election Code to limit the use of school district and open-enrollment charter school buildings as polling places, creating a new statutory restriction on election authorities and local entities that select polling sites. It would preserve the general requirement that public buildings be made available when practicable, but carve out school-controlled buildings except in limited circumstances, thereby affecting county election officials, school districts, charter schools, and voters in affected precincts. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded debate, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill’s narrow, administrative focus, the measure appears to be a targeted election-location policy rather than a broad partisan overhaul. The referral to the Senate State Affairs Committee indicates it was moving through the normal legislative process, but the provided history does not show whether it advanced further or drew formal opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between election access and school-campus security or operational concerns. Supporters would likely favor limiting polling places in school-owned or school-controlled buildings to reduce disruption, protect students, and avoid election activity near campuses. Opponents could argue that the restriction reduces convenient polling options, especially in densely populated areas, and may make it harder for election officials to secure accessible locations. The bill’s exception for small counties suggests lawmakers were trying to address concerns about limited alternatives in rural areas.
In preliminary provisions, providing for designation of Election Day as legal holiday; and, in election districts and polling places, further providing for public buildings to be used where possible and portable polling places.