H.B. No. 1917 is a legislative bill aimed at improving early voting by mail for qualified voters in Texas. It allows for the electronic transmission of ballots and repeals certain criminal offenses related to the solicitation and distribution of mail-in voting applications. The bill mandates that counties post detailed election notices on their websites, including polling locations for election day and early voting, as well as locations for delivering marked ballots. It also introduces an accessible absentee ballot system to assist voters with disabilities in marking and submitting their ballots electronically. Additionally, the bill clarifies eligibility for early voting by mail, particularly for individuals in the address confidentiality program, and streamlines the application process for mail-in ballots.

Further amendments to the Election Code include updated eligibility criteria for voters requesting mail-in ballots due to age, health conditions, or civil commitment status. The bill specifically addresses voters aged 65 or older, those with long-term health care needs, and individuals civilly committed as sexually violent predators. It allows for the e-mail transmission of balloting materials to eligible voters unable to appear at polling places. New rules for the delivery and return of marked ballots are established, including multiple delivery locations and identification requirements for in-person ballot delivery. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and introduces new sections to clarify the e-mailing of ballots while maintaining voter confidentiality. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to elections ordered after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 4.003, 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 86.006, Election Code 87.0223, Election Code 86.007, Election Code 87.0431, Election Code 102.001 (Election Code 87, Election Code 13, Election Code 102, Election Code 86, Election Code 82, Election Code 4, Election Code 84)