Texas Election Code 242.002 – Conduct of Contest Generally
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(a) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the applicable provisions of Chapter 241 govern an election contest under this chapter.
(b) Two copies of the petition and answer must be filed with the secretary of state. The secretary shall deliver one copy of each document to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature. Security for costs must be filed with the chief clerk of the house of representatives. Any cost bond must be payable to both houses.
Terms Used In Texas Election Code 242.002
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Joint session: When both chambers of a legislature adopt a concurrent resolution to meet together.
- Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
- Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) The presiding officers of the two houses of the legislature shall act jointly in appointing a master of discovery and in setting the amount of and approving the sureties on a cost bond. The master may be a member of either house.
(d) The presiding officers shall refer the contest to a committee constituted in accordance with joint rules of the two legislative houses. Unless otherwise provided by joint rule, the referral is not effective until both presiding officers make the referral.
(e) The committee shall make its report to both houses of the legislature, and the two houses shall consider the report and dispose of the contest in joint session.
(f) Any legislative rules applicable to a contest under this chapter must be joint rules.