S.B. No. 145 aims to expand early voting by mail eligibility for qualified voters in Texas and repeals certain criminal offenses related to the solicitation and distribution of mail-in voting applications. The bill amends several sections of the Election Code, including Section 13.002(e), which clarifies that individuals certified for the address confidentiality program are not eligible for early voting by mail unless they submit their application in person. Additionally, it modifies Section 82.005 to state that any qualified voter can vote early either by mail or in person, and it updates Section 82.007 to specify that voters in the address confidentiality program must also submit their registration application in person to be eligible for mail-in voting.

The bill also introduces various amendments to the application process for mail-in ballots, including the requirement for applicants to provide specific information based on their circumstances, such as being absent from their county on election day or being confined in jail. It repeals several existing provisions of the Election Code that are deemed unnecessary or redundant, streamlining the voting process. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and are intended to enhance voter access and simplify the mail-in voting process in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.002, Election Code 82.005, Election Code 82.007, Election Code 84.001, Election Code 84.002, Election Code 84.009, Election Code 84.011, Election Code 86.001, Election Code 86.0015, Election Code 86.003, Election Code 86.004, Election Code 87.041, Election Code 102.001 (Election Code 13, Election Code 84, Election Code 102, Election Code 82, Election Code 86, Election Code 87)