Sec. 42.0051. COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS. (a) If changes in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a redistricting plan result in county election precincts with a number of registered voters less than 500, a commissioners court for a general or special election, or for a primary election the county executive committee of a political party conducting a primary election, may combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005 to avoid unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and personnel.

(b) County election precincts in a county with a population of 250,000 or more may also be combined under Subsection (a) if the changes result in county election precincts with 500 or more but fewer than 750 registered voters.

(c) A combined precinct under this section is subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section 42.006.

(d) A combined precinct may not be established if it:

(1) results in a dilution of voting strength of a group covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et seq.);

(2) results in a dilution of representation of a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure; or

(3) results in discouraging participation by a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or other factors.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 205, Sec. 1, eff. May 19, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1350, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.