Sec. 127.002. COUNTING STATION MANAGER. (a) The authority establishing a central counting station shall appoint a manager of the station. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the eligibility requirements prescribed by this code for precinct election judges apply to a person appointed under this section.

(b) To be eligible for appointment, a person must:

(1) have knowledge and experience in the conduct of elections with the electronic voting system for which the counting station is established; and

(2) be a registered voter of the political subdivision served by the authority establishing the counting station, except:

(A) during the first year following the adoption of the voting system; or

(B) if the person is an employee of the political subdivision that adopts or owns the voting system.

(c) Employees of a political subdivision are not disqualified from appointment and, if appointed, may be paid additional compensation for their services.

(d) The general custodian of election records is eligible for appointment notwithstanding the custodian's status as a candidate or officeholder.

(e) The manager is in charge of the overall administration of the central counting station and the general supervision of the personnel working at the station.

(f) The manager is entitled to compensation in an amount fixed by the authority establishing the counting station.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 492, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 48, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 334 (H.B. 2006), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

Sec. 127.003. TABULATION SUPERVISOR. (a) The authority establishing a central counting station shall appoint a tabulation supervisor of the station. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the eligibility requirements prescribed by this code for precinct election judges apply to a person appointed under this section.

(b) To be eligible for appointment, a person must be:

(1) trained in the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment installed at the counting station; and

(2) a registered voter of the political subdivision served by the authority establishing the counting station or an employee of the political subdivision that adopts or owns the voting system.

(c) Employees of a political subdivision are not disqualified from appointment and, if appointed, may be paid additional compensation for their services.

(d) The tabulation supervisor is in charge of the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment at the counting station.

(e) The tabulation supervisor is entitled to compensation in an amount fixed by the authority establishing the counting station.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 492, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 703 (H.B. 1026), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2015.

Sec. 127.004. ASSISTANTS TO TABULATION SUPERVISOR. (a) The tabulation supervisor may appoint one or more assistants, each of whom must be approved by the authority establishing the central counting station.

(b) To be eligible for appointment, a person must:

(1) have the competence, training, and experience required for the proper performance of the work assigned; and

(2) in a county with a population of less than 60,000, be a registered voter of the political subdivision served by the authority establishing the counting station or an employee of the political subdivision that adopts or owns the voting system.

(c) Employees of the political subdivision are not disqualified from appointment and, if appointed, may be paid additional compensation for their services.

(d) An assistant shall assist the tabulation supervisor in the operation of the automatic tabulating equipment as directed by the tabulation supervisor.

(e) An assistant is entitled to compensation in an amount fixed by the authority establishing the counting station.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 492, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 828 (H.B. 1735), Sec. 18, eff. September 1, 2017.

Sec. 127.005. PRESIDING JUDGE OF COUNTING STATION. (a) The authority appointing the presiding judges to serve in an election shall appoint a presiding judge of each central counting station operating in the election.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the eligibility requirements prescribed by this code for precinct presiding judges apply to a presiding judge of a central counting station. To be eligible to serve as a judge under this section, a person must be a qualified voter of the political subdivision served by the authority adopting the voting system. The general custodian of election records and employees of the custodian are eligible to serve as a judge under this section notwithstanding the custodian's status as a candidate or officeholder.

(c) The presiding judge shall maintain order at the counting station and has the same authority as a precinct presiding judge in that respect and in the administration of oaths. The presiding judge may confer with and advise the manager or tabulation supervisor on any activity at the counting station.

(d) The presiding judge is entitled to compensation at the same rate as a precinct presiding judge, except that the counting station judge is entitled to a minimum compensation of five hours' pay regardless of the amount of time worked.

(e) For an election in which election judges appointed under Section 32.002 serve, the presiding judge and an alternate presiding judge shall be appointed for each central counting station operating in the election in the same manner as a presiding judge and alternate presiding judge under Section 32.002.

(f) An alternate presiding judge appointed under Subsection (e) serves:

(1) as presiding judge for the counting station if the regularly appointed presiding judge cannot serve; or

(2) in another position established under this subchapter.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 492, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, Sec. 49, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 967, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.