COMBINING CERTAIN PRECINCTS.

(a) If changes in county election precinct boundaries to give effect to a redistricting plan result in county election precincts with fewer than 3,000 registered voters, a commissioners court for a general or special election, or for a primary election, the county executive committee of a political party conducting a primary election, may combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005 to avoid unreasonable expenditures for election equipment, supplies, and personnel.

(b) A combined precinct under Subsection (a) is subject to the maximum population prescribed for a precinct under Section 42.006.

(c) In a county that does not participate in the countywide polling place program described by Section 43.007, for a general or special election for which use of county election precincts is required, the commissioner's court on the recommendation of the county election board, or for a primary election for which use of county election precincts is required, the county executive committee of a political party conducting the primary election, may combine county election precincts notwithstanding Section 42.005 if:

(1) the commissioners court cannot secure a suitable polling place location under Section 43.031; and

(2) the location of the combined polling place adequately serves the voters of the combined precinct.

(d) A combined precinct under Subsection (c) may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.

(e) A combined precinct may not be established if it:

(1) results in a dilution of voting strength of a group covered by the federal Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1973c et seq.);

(2) results in a dilution of representation of a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure; or

(3) results in discouraging participation by a group covered by the Voting Rights Act in any political or electoral process or procedure because of the location of a polling place or other factors.

(f) For the purposes of appointing a presiding election judge and an alternate presiding judge to a county election precinct combined under this section, the combined precinct shall be considered a single precinct and the judges shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures provided under Chapter 32.