The bill, S.B. No. 2753, proposes extensive reforms to the voting process in Texas, primarily by abolishing early and absentee voting and establishing a defined voting period with the introduction of voting centers. It allows for the appointment of deputy clerks to assist county clerks in administering mail-in voting, ensuring these deputies have the same authority as the county clerk under supervision. The bill outlines that voters may only cast ballots in person on election day or during the designated voting period, or by mail as specified in the law. Additionally, it amends various sections of the Election Code to reflect these changes, including regulations on the number of voters assigned to each voting center and the hours of operation for polling places.

The legislation also enhances provisions for voters with disabilities, allowing them to vote by mail if they have a physical condition that prevents in-person voting, and introduces new requirements for election officials to ensure accessibility. It establishes penalties for election officials who fail to prevent unauthorized handling of ballots and criminalizes the unlawful divulging of vote information. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records and public access to voting information, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Overall, the bill aims to streamline voting procedures, improve accessibility for all voters, and maintain the integrity of election processes while addressing public safety concerns related to firearm possession at polling places.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 32.003, Election Code 41.031, Election Code 42.002, Election Code 43.002, Election Code 43.003, Election Code 172.128, Election Code 173.007, Agriculture Code 201.073, Education Code 33.092, Education Code 130.253, Election Code 1.005, Election Code 1.016, Election Code 2.025, Election Code 2.081, Election Code 3.006, Election Code 4.003, Election Code 4.004, Election Code 12.004, Election Code 13.002, Election Code 13.143, Election Code 15.025, Election Code 16.031, Election Code 18.001, Election Code 18.002, Election Code 18.003, Election Code 18.006, Election Code 18.069, Election Code 19.004, Election Code 31.014, Election Code 31.016, Election Code 31.017, Election Code 31.018, Election Code 31.020, Election Code 31.097, Election Code 31.122, Election Code 31.124, Election Code 32.0511, Election Code 32.054, Election Code 32.075, Election Code 61.003, Election Code 32.114, Election Code 33.004, Election Code 33.007, Election Code 33.033, Election Code 33.051, Election Code 33.052, Election Code 33.054, Election Code 33.060, Election Code 41.032, Election Code 42.006, Election Code 51.003, Election Code 51.004, Election Code 51.006, Election Code 51.007, Election Code 123.006, Election Code 124.006, Election Code 125.006, Election Code 125.010, Election Code 127.1232, Election Code 127.131, Election Code 128.001, Election Code 129.002, Election Code 141.063, Election Code 145.003, Election Code 162.003, Election Code 162.005, Election Code 172.1111, Election Code 172.1112, Election Code 172.1113, Election Code 172.1114, Election Code 172.1141, Election Code 172.124, Election Code 172.126, Election Code 173.003, Election Code 173.081, Election Code 212.134, Election Code 213.003, Election Code 213.006, Election Code 221.018, Election Code 231.007, Election Code 232.013, Election Code 232.048, Election Code 247.001, Election Code 271.006, Election Code 271.0071, Election Code 272.004, Election Code 272.005, Election Code 272.006, Election Code 272.011, Election Code 276.004, Election Code 276.010, Election Code 276.013, Election Code 276.015, Election Code 276.016, Election Code 276.017, Election Code 277.002, Local Government Code 42.154, Penal Code 46.03, Water Code 26.087, Water Code 49.103, Water Code 49.108, Water Code 49.111, Water Code 49.112, Water Code 49.4645, Water Code 63.0895 (Election Code 3, Election Code 123, Election Code 172, Election Code 41, Election Code 4, Election Code 145, Agriculture Code 201, Education Code 33, Election Code 221, Election Code 19, Election Code 213, Election Code 129, Election Code 277, Election Code 13, Election Code 15, Election Code 42, Election Code 173, Election Code 162, Election Code 124, Election Code 231, Election Code 32, Election Code 33, Election Code 127, Election Code 2, Election Code 141, Election Code 212, Election Code 61, Election Code 16, Election Code 43, Election Code 31, Election Code 51, Election Code 232, Election Code 272, Election Code 247, Election Code 271, Election Code 1, Election Code 128, Election Code 276, Water Code 26, Local Government Code 42, Election Code 12, Election Code 18, Penal Code 46, Water Code 49, Water Code 63, Election Code 125, Education Code 130)