Sec. 32.073.  ABSENCE OF ELECTION OFFICERS FROM POLLING PLACE.  (a)  The presiding judge and the clerks who are on duty at the time of any manual count or examination of ballots before the time for closing the polls shall remain on duty without leaving the polling place while the polls are open.  Clerks may be assigned to work for periods ending before any manual count or examination of ballots begins.  The presiding judge may permit temporary absences for meals or other necessary activities.
(b)  If the presiding judge does not permit the clerks to be absent for meals, the judge must permit meals to be brought or delivered to the polling place.
(c)  With respect to regulating temporary absences from the polling place while the polls are open, the presiding judge shall treat all election officers serving at the polling place uniformly.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 472, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.