The bill, S.B. No. 68, proposes amendments to the Election Code of Texas to allow individuals who will turn 18 on the date of the general election for state and county officers to vote in the preceding primary elections. Specifically, it amends Section 13.001 by adding new subsections (d) and (e). Subsection (d) states that eligible individuals can register to vote for the primary election if they meet all other voter registration requirements except for age. Subsection (e) mandates that the voter registrar must notify these individuals that they are only eligible to vote in primary elections until they reach 18 years of age.

Additionally, the bill introduces Section 172.005, which explicitly allows individuals under 18 to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the next general election and meet all other qualifications. The Secretary of State is tasked with developing the necessary procedures to implement these changes. The bill will take effect only if a related constitutional amendment, proposed by the 89th Legislature, is approved by voters. If the amendment does not pass, the bill will have no effect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.001 (Election Code 13)