ELECTION CODE

CHAPTER 34. STATE INSPECTORS


	§ 34.001.  APPOINTMENT OF STATE INSPECTORS.  (a)  The 
secretary of state may appoint one or more state inspectors for an 
election.
	(b)  The secretary of state shall appoint one or more 
inspectors for an election if the secretary receives a written 
request for the appointment from 15 or more registered voters:
		(1)  of the county for which the inspector is 
requested, for an election ordered by the governor or a county 
authority or for a primary election;  or
		(2)  of the political subdivision in which the election 
specified by the request is held, for an election ordered by an 
authority of a political subdivision other than a county.
	(c)  A request under Subsection (b) must be received by the 
secretary of state not later than the fourth regular business day 
before the date of the election for which the inspectors are 
requested.  The request is not available for public inspection 
until the day after election day.
	(d)  State inspectors are responsible to the secretary of 
state and subject to the secretary's direction.  The secretary may 
terminate an appointment at any time.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.  Amended by 
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 864, § 41, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 1997, 
75th Leg., ch. 1349, § 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


	§ 34.002.  DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES.  (a)  Except as 
provided by Subsection (b), a state inspector is entitled to be 
present at and observe any function or activity at a polling place, 
central counting station, place of canvass, or other place at which 
official election or voter registration functions or activities 
take place.  An inspector may take reasonable steps to obtain 
evidence of the manner in which a function or activity is being 
performed.
	(b)  A state inspector may not observe the preparation of the 
ballot of a voter not being assisted by an election officer.
	(c)  A state inspector shall report to the secretary of state 
any violation of law that the inspector observes.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.                     


	§ 34.003.  TRAVEL EXPENSES.  Subject to specific 
legislative appropriation, the secretary of state may reimburse 
state inspectors for travel expenses in an amount determined by the 
secretary but not to exceed travel expenses allowable to state 
employees generally.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.                     


	§ 34.004.  INSPECTIONS BY SECRETARY OF STATE.  The 
secretary of state or a member of the secretary's staff may make 
inspections in the same manner as state inspectors whether or not a 
violation of election laws is suspected.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.                     


	§ 34.005.  ACTION BY SECRETARY OF STATE.  The secretary 
of state may refer a reported violation of law for appropriate 
action to the attorney general, if the attorney general has 
jurisdiction, or to a prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.