ELECTION CODE
CHAPTER 212. REQUESTING
RECOUNT
SUBCHAPTER A. REQUESTING
RECOUNT
GENERALLY
Sec. 212.001. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
RECOUNT
DOCUMENT. A
recount
document submitted under this title must:
(1) be in writing;
(2) identify the office or measure for which a
recount
is desired;
(3) state the grounds for the
recount
;
(4) state the side of the measure that the person requesting the
recount
represents, if applicable;
(5) identify the election precincts, grouped by county or other appropriate territorial unit if the election involves more than one local canvassing authority, for which a
recount
is desired and must indicate the method of voting used in each precinct;
(6) be signed by:
(A) the person requesting the
recount
or, if there is more than one, any one or more of them; or
(B) an agent of the person requesting the
recount
;
(7) state each requesting person's name, residence address, and, if authorization to obtain the
recount
is based on eligibility to vote in the election, voter registration number, and county of registration if the election covers territory in more than one county;
(8) designate an agent who is a resident of this state to receive notice under this title on behalf of the person requesting the
recount
if:
(A) the person requesting the
recount
is not a resident of this state; or
(B) there is more than one person requesting the
recount
;
(9) state the mailing address and at least one telephone number, if any, at which the person requesting the
recount
or an agent, identified by name, may receive notice given under this title;
(10) state the mailing address, e-mail address, if any, and at least one telephone number, if any, at which the opposing candidates for the office or their agents, identified by name, may receive notice given under this title; and
(11) be accompanied by a deposit as provided by Subchapter E.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 1, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 89, eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 212.002. DESIGNATION OF AGENT TO RECEIVE NOTICE. (a) If a
recount
involves votes canvassed by more than one local canvassing authority, the document requesting the
recount
may designate, for any one or more of the counties served by the local canvassing authorities, a person residing in the county to receive notice of the time and place of the
recount
on behalf of the person requesting the
recount
.
(b) The designation is not effective unless the document states the designee's name, address, e-mail address, if any, and telephone number, if any.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 90, eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 212.003. SUBMISSION OF
RECOUNT
DOCUMENT. (a) A
recount
document or a document amending a
recount
document is considered to be submitted at the time of its receipt by the
recount
coordinator.
(b) On submission of a document, the
recount
coordinator shall enter on the document the date and hour of submission and the form and amount of the deposit accompanying the document.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.004. FURNISHING COPIES OF DOCUMENTS TO CERTAIN INTERESTED PERSONS. The
recount
coordinator shall furnish without charge a copy of a
recount
document or a document amending a
recount
document to each person, other than the person submitting the document, who is entitled to notice of its approval.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.005. MULTIPLE
RECOUNTS
ON SAME OFFICE OR MEASURE. (a) The approval of a petition for a
recount
does not preclude the submission and approval of another petition on the same office or measure. A petition with respect to a particular office or measure may not be submitted after an initial
recount
or an expedited
recount
on the office or measure is completed.
(b) If more than one
recount
petition, application for a supplementary
recount
, or application for including remaining paper ballot precincts is submitted, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly inform each petitioner or applicant of the submission by the other person.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), if more than one petition or application is approved, the
recount
requested by each person shall be conducted at the same time.
(d) If different counting methods are chosen under Section 214.042(a) among multiple requests for a
recount
of electronic voting system results, only one method may be used in the
recount
. A manual
recount
shall be conducted in preference to an electronic
recount
and an electronic
recount
using a corrected program shall be conducted in preference to an electronic
recount
using the same program as the original count.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 65, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 212.006. WITHDRAWAL OF
RECOUNT
PETITION. (a) A
recount
petitioner may withdraw the petition for the
recount
by submitting a request to withdraw the petition to the
recount
coordinator. On receipt of the request, the
recount
coordinator shall immediately inform, by the most expeditious means possible, all parties who are entitled to receive notice of the
recount
under Section 212.032 that the request has been submitted and the
recount
canceled.
(b) After a
recount
petition has been withdrawn, the petitioner may not petition again for a
recount
of that election.
(c) The request for the withdrawal of a
recount
petition must be sworn to by the person requesting the withdrawal. The request must contain:
(1) the identity of the office or measure for which the
recount
was requested;
(2) the reason for the withdrawal;
(3) a statement acknowledging that once the petition is withdrawn, the petitioner may not petition again for a
recount
of that election;
(4) a statement acknowledging that the results of the canvass are official;
(5) a statement acknowledging that money properly expended toward the holding of the
recount
before the request was submitted will be subtracted from the amount of the deposit that is refunded;
(6) the signature of:
(A) the person requesting the withdrawal; or
(B) an agent of the person requesting the withdrawal; and
(7) the printed name, address, and telephone number of the person requesting the withdrawal.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 2, eff. Oct. 20, 1987.
Sec. 212.021. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter applies to all elections except an election to which an expedited
recount
under Subchapter D applies.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.022. OBTAINING INITIAL
RECOUNT
IN ELECTION ON OFFICE. Except as provided by Section 212.0241, a candidate for nomination or election to an office may obtain an initial
recount
in an election in which the person was a candidate if:
(1) the difference in the number of votes received by the candidate and any candidate for the office who is shown by the election returns to be nominated, elected, or entitled to a place on a runoff ballot or tied for nomination, election, or entitlement to a place on a runoff ballot is less than 10 percent of that candidate's number of votes;
(2) the candidate is shown by the election returns to be entitled to a place on a runoff ballot or tied for nomination, election, or entitlement to a place on a runoff ballot;
(3) the secretary of state certifies that counting errors affecting the election occurred in one or more election precincts in which paper ballots were used, as provided by Section 212.034; or
(4) the total number of votes received by all candidates for the office is less than 1,000 as shown by the election returns.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 10(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 207, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 212.023. OBTAINING INITIAL
RECOUNT
IN ELECTION FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. (a) Except as provided by Section 212.0241, an initial
recount
in a presidential general election may be obtained if one of the grounds prescribed by Section 212.022 is satisfied.
(b) The following persons may obtain an initial
recount
in a presidential general election:
(1) a presidential candidate whose name appeared on the ballot in this state or who had qualified as a write-in candidate in this state;
(2) one or more presidential elector candidates corresponding to a presidential candidate described by Subdivision (1), acting jointly; or
(3) a presidential candidate described by Subdivision (1) and one or more corresponding elector candidates, acting jointly.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 10(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.0231. OBTAINING INITIAL
RECOUNT
IN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION. Except as provided by Section 212.0241, in a presidential primary election, a candidate in the election, or any 25 or more persons who were eligible to vote in the election acting jointly on behalf of an uncommitted delegation, may obtain an initial
recount
in the election if:
(1) the difference in the number of votes received by the candidate or uncommitted status and any candidate or uncommitted status shown by the election returns to be entitled to delegate representation at the political party's national presidential nominating convention is less than 10 percent of the number of votes received by the latter candidate or the uncommitted status; or
(2) the secretary of state certifies that counting errors affecting the election occurred in one or more election precincts in which paper ballots were used, as provided by Section 212.034.
Added by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 10(a), (b) eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.024. OBTAINING INITIAL
RECOUNT
IN ELECTION ON MEASURE. (a) Except as provided by Section 212.0241, an initial
recount
in an election on a measure may be obtained if:
(1) the difference in the number of votes received for the measure and against the measure is less than 10 percent of the total number of votes received on the measure as shown by the election returns;
(2) the secretary of state certifies that counting errors affecting the election occurred in one or more election precincts in which paper ballots were used, as provided by Section 212.034; or
(3) the total number of votes received for and against the measure is less than 1,000 as shown by the election returns.
(b) The following persons may obtain an initial
recount
in an election on a measure:
(1) the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose political committee that was involved in the election; or
(2) any 25 or more persons, acting jointly, who were eligible to vote in the election.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 10(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.0241. NO GROUND REQUIRED FOR ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM
RECOUNT
. (a) A ground for obtaining an initial
recount
as prescribed by this subchapter is not required to obtain an initial
recount
of electronic voting system results, subject to Subsection (b).
(b) A candidate for nomination or election to an office may obtain an initial
recount
of electronic voting system results in an election in which the person was a candidate only if the candidate is shown by the election returns not to be nominated or elected. However, a candidate shown to be nominated or elected may obtain an initial
recount
if an opposing candidate's initial
recount
petition is approved for a
recount
that is covered by Section 212.131(c) and that does not include all of the voting system precincts in the election.
(c) The secretary of state shall prescribe any procedures necessary to accommodate the authorization to obtain a
recount
of electronic voting system results without a specific ground.
(d) This section does not affect the scope of a
recount
as governed by Subchapter F.
Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 484, Sec. 10(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 66, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 851, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Sec. 212.025. PETITION FOR INITIAL
RECOUNT
REQUIRED. An initial
recount
may not be conducted unless a person authorized to obtain the
recount
submits, as provided by this subchapter, a petition for the
recount
that complies with the applicable requirements prescribed by this title.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.026. AUTHORITY TO WHOM PETITION SUBMITTED. (a) In an election for which there is only one canvassing authority, a petition for an initial
recount
must be submitted to the presiding officer of the canvassing authority.
(b) In an election for which there is only one canvassing authority and which is canvassed jointly with another election, a
recount
petition must be submitted to the presiding officer of the authority designated by law as the canvassing authority for the election rather than the presiding officer of the canvassing authority designated by the joint election agreement.
(c) In an election for which a final canvass is made by a canvassing authority at the state level, a
recount
petition must be submitted to the presiding officer of the final canvassing authority.
(d) In an election for which there is more than one local canvassing authority and no final canvass at the state level, a
recount
petition must be submitted to the presiding officer of each local canvassing authority within whose jurisdiction a
recount
is desired.
(e) In a general election for governor or lieutenant governor, a
recount
petition must be submitted to the secretary of state.
(f) If the presiding officer of a local canvassing authority is ineligible or unable to serve as
recount
coordinator, the timely submission of a
recount
petition to that officer instead of the person substituting as the
recount
coordinator does not make the petition invalid. In that case, the presiding officer shall promptly deliver the petition to the substitute coordinator.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.027. NOTICE OF PETITION SUBMISSION TO OTHER CANVASSING AUTHORITIES. (a) On submission of a
recount
petition under Section 212.026(b), the
recount
coordinator, if the coordinator is not the same person as the presiding officer of the canvassing authority designated by the joint election agreement, shall notify that presiding officer of the submission.
(b) On submission of a
recount
petition under Section 212.026(d), the
recount
coordinator shall notify the presiding officer of each of the other canvassing authorities of the submission of the petition.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 208, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 212.028. TIME FOR SUBMITTING PETITION.
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a petition for an initial
recount
must be submitted by 5 p.m. of the third business day after the date the canvassing authority to whose presiding officer the petition must be submitted completes its canvass of the original election returns.
(b) A petition for a winning candidate in response to an opposing candidate's petition as described by Section 212.0241(b) must be submitted not later than 48 hours after receipt of the notice of approval under Section 212.032.
(c) If the deadline for submitting a petition for an initial
recount
falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday, the deadline is extended to 10 a.m. of the next regular business day.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 7.12, eff. Aug. 28, 1989; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 851, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 91, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 248 (S.B. 825), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 212.029. INITIAL REVIEW OF PETITION. (a) The
recount
coordinator shall review the petition for compliance with the applicable requirements not later than 48 hours after receipt of the petition.
(b) If the
recount
petition does not comply with the applicable requirements, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly notify the petitioner of each defect in the petition and shall enter on the petition a description of each defect and the date of the notice. A deposit in an improper form or amount is a defect for purposes of this subsection.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 3, eff. Oct. 20, 1987.
Sec. 212.030. AMENDMENT OF PETITION. (a) A petitioner may amend a
recount
petition to correct a defect.
(b) An amendment must be submitted to the
recount
coordinator not later than the deadline for submitting the petition or 5 p.m. of the second day after the date notice of the defect under Section 212.029 is received by the petitioner, whichever is later.
(c) On submission of an amendment, the
recount
coordinator shall enter on the amendment the date and hour it is submitted.
(d) If an amendment is timely, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly review the petition as amended.
(e) For purposes of this section, a correction of an improper deposit is considered an amendment of the petition.
(f) If the amendment does not correct each defect in the petition of which the petitioner was notified, the
recount
coordinator shall reject the amended petition. The
recount
coordinator shall promptly notify the petitioner of each remaining defect and shall enter on the amended petition a description of each defect and the date of notice. A petition may not be amended more than once under this section.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 288, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 212.031. FINAL ACTION ON PETITION. (a) If a
recount
petition complies with the applicable requirements, the
recount
coordinator shall approve the petition and note on the petition its approved status and the date of the approval. The
recount
coordinator shall immediately notify the
recount
supervisor of the approval. The
recount
supervisor shall, with the written approval of the
recount
coordinator, order the
recount
to be held on the later of the seventh day after the date the petition is determined to comply with the applicable requirements or the day after all ballots have been delivered to the general custodian of election records.
(b) If the petition does not comply with the applicable requirements, the
recount
coordinator shall determine whether it is correctable by amendment. If the petition is not correctable, the coordinator shall reject the petition. If the petition is correctable, the coordinator shall delay acting on the petition until the deadline for amending it. If at that time the petition is not corrected, the coordinator shall reject the petition.
(c) On rejecting a petition, the
recount
coordinator shall note on the petition its rejected status and the reason for and date of the rejection.
(d) After approving or rejecting a petition, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly notify the petitioner of the action taken.
(e) After approving or rejecting a petition submitted under Section 212.026(b), the
recount
coordinator, if the coordinator is not the same person as the presiding officer of the canvassing authority designated by the joint election agreement, shall promptly notify that presiding officer of the action taken.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 4, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 288, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 209, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 92, eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 212.032. NOTICE OF APPROVAL TO OTHERS INVOLVED IN ELECTION. After approving a
recount
petition, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly notify the following persons of the petition's approval:
(1) if the
recount
involves an election for nomination or election to an office, each opposing candidate;
(2) if the
recount
involves an election for presidential electors, the presidential candidate who is shown by the election returns to have received the most votes;
(3) if the
recount
involves a measure:
(A) the campaign treasurer of each specific-purpose political committee involved in the election on the side opposite the side that the petitioner represents; or
(B) a person eligible to vote in the election, selected by the
recount
coordinator as an appropriate representative of the interests of the opposite side, if no specific-purpose committee was involved in the election; or
(4) if the
recount
involves a presidential primary election:
(A) each opposing candidate; and
(B) a registered voter selected by the
recount
coordinator as an appropriate representative of the interests of the uncommitted delegation, if an uncommitted delegation is entitled to delegate representation.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 32, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.033. EFFECT OF PETITION SUBMISSION ON CANVASS. (a) The submission of a
recount
petition before the canvassing authority completes its canvass does not delay the canvass for the office or measure involved in the
recount
.
(b) The canvassing authority shall make a notation on the tabulation of any office or measure involved in a
recount
.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 5, eff. Oct. 20, 1987.
Sec. 212.0331. EFFECT OF PETITION SUBMISSION ON QUALIFYING FOR OFFICE. (a) The submission of a
recount
petition delays the issuance of a certificate of election and qualification for the office involved in the
recount
pending completion of the
recount
.
(b) A candidate may not qualify for an office involved in a
recount
before completion of the
recount
.
(c) This section does not affect a candidate who has received a certificate of election and qualified for an office before the submission of a
recount
petition involving the office.
(d) The secretary of state shall prescribe any procedures necessary to implement this section.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1144, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Sec. 212.034. COUNTING ERRORS AS GROUND FOR
RECOUNT
IN PAPER BALLOT PRECINCTS. (a) To obtain a
recount
on the ground of counting errors in election precincts in which paper ballots were used, a person must attach to the
recount
petition an affidavit or affidavits from one or more presiding judges of the election stating that certain votes cast for the office or measure, as applicable, were either counted or not counted, as appropriate, with a brief description of the circumstances involved. At the same time the
recount
petition is submitted to the
recount
coordinator, the petitioner must deliver a copy of the
recount
petition and each affidavit to each opposing candidate or to the campaign treasurer of each specific-purpose political committee that was involved in the election on the measure, as appropriate, and to the secretary of state. The copies must be delivered personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.
(b) The
recount
coordinator shall delay final action on a
recount
petition submitted with an attached affidavit under Subsection (a) pending receipt of the secretary of state's certification.
(c) Any opposing candidate or any person listed in Section 212.023(b), 212.0231, or 212.024(b), as appropriate, is entitled to submit to the secretary of state an affidavit contradicting statements made in an affidavit submitted by the petitioner. A contradicting affidavit must be received by the secretary of state not later than the third day after the date the copy of the
recount
petition and each affidavit is received by the secretary.
(d) A
recount
on the ground of counting errors may be obtained if the secretary of state determines from uncontradicted statements, based on undisputed facts, in an affidavit submitted by the petitioner and from the election returns that certain votes cast for the office or measure, as applicable, clearly were erroneously counted or not counted, as appropriate, and that without the errors the petitioner possibly would have received the vote necessary to gain or tie for nomination, election, or entitlement to a place on a runoff ballot or the petitioner's side on a measure possibly would have received the most votes, as applicable. The secretary may not make the determination if the facts are disputed or raise unresolved legal questions as to whether counting errors occurred.
(e) Not earlier than the fourth or later than the fifth day after the date the copy of the
recount
petition and each affidavit is received by the secretary of state, the secretary shall deliver written certification of whether grounds exist for obtaining a
recount
on the basis of counting errors to the
recount
coordinator and shall deliver a copy of the certification to the petitioner and to each opposing candidate or to the campaign treasurer of each specific-purpose political committee that was involved in the election on the measure, as appropriate.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 33, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.035. APPLICATION FOR INCLUDING REMAINING PAPER BALLOT PRECINCTS. (a) If a petition is approved for a partial
recount
in election precincts in which paper ballots were used, any opposing candidate or any person listed in Section 212.023(b), 212.0231, or 212.024(b), as appropriate, may have the remaining election precincts in which paper ballots were used included in the initial
recount
by submitting an application for including the precincts to the
recount
coordinator.
(b) The application must be submitted not later than 2 p.m. of the second day after the date the applicant receives notice of the petition's approval.
(c) The application is subject to review, amendment, and action by the
recount
coordinator in the same manner as a petition submitted under this subchapter.
(d) After approving an application for including remaining precincts, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly give notice of the approval to the applicant, the petitioner, and any other person entitled to notice under Section 212.032.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 34, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
SUBCHAPTER C. SUPPLEMENTARY
RECOUNT
FOLLOWING PARTIAL
RECOUNT
IN PAPER BALLOT PRECINCTS
Sec. 212.051. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter does not apply to an election to which an expedited
recount
under Subchapter D applies.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.052. SUPPLEMENTARY
RECOUNT
AUTHORIZED. If a partial
recount
is conducted in election precincts in which paper ballots were used, a
recount
of votes cast in the remaining precincts in which paper ballots were used may be obtained as provided by this subchapter.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.053. OBTAINING SUPPLEMENTARY
RECOUNT
. (a) A person who was not entitled to obtain an initial
recount
on the grounds prescribed by Section 212.022(1) or (2), 212.0231(1), or 212.024(a)(1) may obtain a supplementary
recount
if the partial
recount
included less than 50 percent of the total vote received by all candidates in the race or for the measure, as applicable, as shown by the original election returns, and as a result of the partial
recount
those grounds are satisfied.
(b) A person who was not entitled to obtain an initial
recount
on the grounds prescribed by Section 212.022(1) or (2), 212.0231(1), or 212.024(a)(1) may obtain a supplementary
recount
if the partial
recount
included 50 percent or more but less than 75 percent of the total vote received by all candidates in the race or for the measure, as applicable, as shown by the original election returns, and as a result of the partial
recount
those grounds are satisfied, except that the percentage factor is two percent rather than 10 percent.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 14, Sec. 35, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 212.054. APPLICATION FOR SUPPLEMENTARY
RECOUNT
REQUIRED. A supplementary
recount
may not be conducted unless a person authorized to obtain the
recount
submits, as provided by this subchapter, an application for the
recount
that complies with the applicable requirements prescribed by this title.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.055. AUTHORITY TO WHOM APPLICATION SUBMITTED. A supplementary
recount
application must be submitted to the
recount
coordinator.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.056. TIME FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a supplementary
recount
application must be submitted not later than 5 p.m. of the second day after the date the applicant receives notice of the initial
recount
result under Section 213.032 or 213.056.
(b) An application for a supplementary
recount
on a measure must be submitted not later than 5 p.m. of the second day after the date notice of the initial
recount
result under Section 213.032 or 213.056 was given to the person selected to receive notice of the petition's approval under Section 212.032 if the applicant is:
(1) the campaign treasurer of a specific-purpose political committee who did not receive the notice of the initial
recount
result; or
(2) a group of persons, none of whom received the notice of the initial
recount
result.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.057. PROCESSING APPLICATION. (a) An application for a supplementary
recount
is subject to review, amendment, and action by the
recount
coordinator in the same manner as prescribed by Sections 212.029, 212.030, and 212.031 for a petition for an initial
recount
.
(b) After approving an application, the
recount
coordinator shall promptly give notice of the approval of the application to the petitioner for the initial
recount
and to each person entitled to notice of an approved petition under Section 212.032.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
SUBCHAPTER D. EXPEDITED
RECOUNT
Sec. 212.081. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter applies to a
recount
in an election on an office in which:
(1) a majority vote is required for nomination or election; and
(2) votes were cast for more than two candidates.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 67, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 212.082.
RECOUNT
PETITION. Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, a
recount
under this subchapter is initiated by a petition submitted and processed in accordance with Subchapter B.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.083. DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PETITION. The deadline for submitting a
recount
petition under this subchapter is 2 p.m. of the second day after the date of the local canvass.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 67, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 93, eff. September 1, 2021.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 248 (S.B. 825), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Sec. 212.084. NOTICE OF PETITION SUBMISSION. If the
recount
coordinator determines that a
recount
petition does not comply with the applicable requirements but is correctable by amendment, the coordinator shall promptly give notice of the submission to each opposing candidate. The notice required by this section is in addition to the notice of approval of a petition required by Section 212.032.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.085. DEADLINE FOR AMENDING PETITION. The deadline for amending a petition under this subchapter is:
(1) 10 a.m. of the day after the date notice of defect is received, if received at or after 12 midnight and before 12 noon; or
(2) 4 p.m. of the day after the date notice of defect is received, if received at or after 12 noon and before 12 midnight.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 67, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
Sec. 212.086. APPLICATION FOR INCLUDING REMAINING PAPER BALLOT PRECINCTS. Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, the provisions of Subchapter B governing an application for including remaining paper ballot precincts govern the application in an expedited
recount
.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.087. PROCESSING APPLICATION. An application for including remaining paper ballot precincts is subject to review, amendment, and action by the
recount
coordinator in the same manner as a petition submitted under this subchapter, except that Section 212.084 does not apply.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.088. DEADLINE ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY, OR HOLIDAY. (a) If the deadline for submitting an expedited
recount
petition falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday, the deadline is extended to 10 a.m. of the next regular business day.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a), a deadline prescribed by this subchapter is not affected by its falling on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
(c) If the deadline for submitting an application for including remaining paper ballot precincts or an amendment to a petition or application falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday, the
recount
coordinator shall be accessible or have an agent accessible at the coordinator's office for at least one hour immediately preceding the deadline unless the document subject to the deadline has already been submitted. Failure of the coordinator to comply with this subsection excuses performance until 9 a.m. of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 41, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 212.089. DAYS AND HOURS FOR PERFORMING DUTIES. The
recount
coordinator, each
recount
supervisor, and each
recount
committee involved in an expedited
recount
shall continue performing their duties on days that are not regular working days and during hours that are not regular working hours if necessary to complete the
recount
in time to avoid interfering with the orderly conduct of the scheduled runoff election.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
SUBCHAPTER E. DEPOSIT FOR COSTS OF
RECOUNT
Sec. 212.111. DEPOSIT REQUIRED. (a) A deposit to cover the costs of a
recount
must accompany the submission of a
recount
document.
(b) The deposit must be in the form of cash or a cashier's check or money order made payable to the
recount
coordinator.
(c) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 44.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1316, Sec. 42, 44, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Sec. 212.112. AMOUNT OF DEPOSIT. The amount of the
recount
deposit is:
(1) $60 for each election day polling location or precinct, whichever results in a smaller amount, in which regular paper ballots were used; and
(2) $100 for each election day polling location or precinct, whichever results in a smaller amount, in which an electronic voting system was used.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 6, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 203, Sec. 2.66; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 583, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1107 (H.B. 2309), Sec. 2.15, eff. January 1, 2006.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1235 (S.B. 1970), Sec. 20, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 94, eff. September 1, 2021.
Sec. 212.113. RETURN OF DEPOSIT. (a) On rejection of a
recount
document, the
recount
coordinator shall return the
recount
deposit to the person who submitted the document.
(b) On the timely withdrawal of a
recount
document, the
recount
coordinator shall return to the person who submitted the document the
recount
deposit less any necessary expenditures made toward the conduct of the
recount
before the request for withdrawal was received.
(c) The
recount
coordinator shall return to each person requesting a
recount
whose chosen counting method is not used under Section 212.005(d) the
recount
deposit less any necessary expenditures made toward the conduct of the
recount
before the other counting method was determined to be the preferential method.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 59, Sec. 7, eff. Oct. 20, 1987; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1349, Sec. 68, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
SUBCHAPTER F. SCOPE OF
RECOUNT
Sec. 212.131. SCOPE OF INITIAL
RECOUNT
. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an initial
recount
in an election for which there is no canvass at the state level must include each election precinct in the election.
(b) In an election for which there is a final canvass at the state level, an initial
recount
of votes cast on paper ballots must include each election precinct in which paper ballots were used in the election, except as provided by Subsection (d).
(c) In an election for which there is a final canvass at the state level, an initial
recount
of votes cast in a particular voting system may include any one or more counties covered by the election, but must include all the election precincts in which a particular voting system is used in each county
recounted
.
(d) An initial
recount
may include any one or more election precincts in which counting errors occurred as certified by the secretary of state under Section 212.034.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 851, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Sec. 212.132. SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTARY
RECOUNT
. A supplementary
recount
must include each remaining election precinct in which paper ballots were used in the election.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.133. SCOPE OF EXPEDITED
RECOUNT
. An expedited
recount
is governed by Section 212.131.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.134. EARLY VOTING VOTES TREATED AS PRECINCT. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), for the purpose of specifying which election precincts are to be included in a
recount
, all the early voting votes canvassed by a local canvassing authority shall be treated as constituting one election precinct.
(b) Each early voting polling place in which voting machines were used shall be treated as constituting one election precinct.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 203, Sec. 2.67; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 38, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Sec. 212.135. VOTES TO BE
RECOUNTED
. Except as provided by Section 212.136, all votes cast in the election precincts included in a
recount
on the office or measure specified by the
recount
document are subject to the
recount
.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.136. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN VOTES FROM
RECOUNT
IN PRECINCTS USING VOTING SYSTEM. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), write-in votes cast in connection with a voting system shall be excluded from a
recount
of an election in which a plurality vote is sufficient.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), in a
recount
of an election in which a majority vote is required, if the candidate who first requests a
recount
in one or more precincts in which a voting system was used specifies in the
recount
document that only a
recount
of the write-in votes or only a
recount
of the voting system votes is requested, the votes for which the
recount
is not requested shall be excluded from the
recount
unless an objection to the exclusion is made under Section 212.137. A request for a
recount
of only write-in votes or only voting system votes must apply to all precincts included in the
recount
in which a voting system was used.
(c) Write-in votes may not be excluded from a
recount
in which a write-in candidate is the petitioner or a person entitled to notice of an approved petition under Section 212.032.
(d) The treatment given to the votes in the
recount
obtained under the
recount
document in which a
recount
in a voting system precinct is first requested must be given to the votes in all voting system precincts for which a
recount
is obtained under a subsequently submitted
recount
document pertaining to the same election.
(e) In a precinct in which voting system votes are excluded from a
recount
, the vote count entered on the original precinct election returns for the excluded votes shall be treated as the count for those votes for the purposes of the
recount
.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.
Sec. 212.137. OBJECTION TO EXCLUSION OF VOTES. (a) The notice of approval of a
recount
document in which an exclusion of votes is requested under Section 212.136 must include notice that the exclusion has been requested.
(b) The votes subject to the requested exclusion may not be excluded if a candidate entitled to notice under Subsection (a) notifies the
recount
coordinator not later than 18 hours after receiving the notice that the candidate objects to the exclusion.
(c) The sufficiency of the deposit accompanying a
recount
document requesting an exclusion is not affected by a timely objection to the exclusion, but the candidate is liable for the full costs of the
recount
, including the costs attributable to the
recount
of the votes requested to be excluded, if the costs are assessed against the candidate.
Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, Sec. 210, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.