Sec. 31.020. COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE OVERSIGHT BY SECRETARY.  (a)  If the secretary of state implements administrative oversight under Section 31.017, the secretary shall provide written notice to the county election official with authority over election administration or voter registration and the county judge of the determination by the secretary to implement administrative oversight in the county.  The notice must include the specific recurring pattern of problems with election administration or voter registration identified by the secretary under Section 31.017(a)(3).
(b)  The authority of administrative oversight over a county granted to the secretary of state under this subchapter must include:
(1)  requiring the approval and review by the secretary of state of any policies or procedures regarding the administration of elections issued by the county; and
(2)  authorizing all appropriate personnel in the secretary of state's office to conduct in-person observations of the county election office's activities, including any activities related to election preparation, early voting, election day, and post-election day procedures.
(c)  The county election office being overseen by the secretary of state shall provide sufficient access to the appropriate personnel in the secretary of state's office to perform their duties under Subsection (b).
(d)  Once each quarter during the period when the secretary of state is overseeing elections in a county under Subsection (a), the secretary shall submit a report regarding the activities of the oversight personnel to the members of the county election commission and the county attorney.
(e)  The secretary of state shall deliver the report required by Subsection (d) in person to the county commissioners court if requested by the commissioners court.
(f)  The secretary of state shall conduct the administrative oversight of a county until the earlier of:
(1)  December 31 of the even-numbered year following the first anniversary of the date the complaint was received under Section 31.017(a)(1); or
(2)  the date on which the secretary of state determines that the recurring pattern of problems with election administration or voter registration is rectified.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 957 (S.B. 1933), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.