87(1) HB 299 - Introduced version - Bill Text
  |
  |
 
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
 
|
AN ACT
|
 
|
relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to |
 
|
be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail; |
 
|
changing the elements of a criminal offense. |
 
|
             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
|
             SECTION  1.    Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to |
 
|
read as follows: |
 
|
             (b)    An application must be in writing and signed by the |
 
|
applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature or |
 
|
photocopied signature is not permitted. |
 
|
             SECTION  2.    Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to |
 
|
read as follows: |
 
|
             (c)    After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the |
 
|
official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place |
 
|
the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal |
 
|
the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier |
 
|
envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature or |
 
|
photocopied signature is not permitted. |
 
|
             SECTION  3.    Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to |
 
|
read as follows: |
 
|
             (b)    A person other than the voter who assists a voter by |
 
|
depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or |
 
|
contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that |
 
|
purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and |
 
|
residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person |
 
|
must sign the envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature |
 
|
or photocopied signature is not permitted. |
 
|
             SECTION  4.    The change in law made by this Act applies to an |
 
|
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by |
 
|
mail submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
 
|
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by |
 
|
mail submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
 
|
the law in effect when the application or ballot was submitted, and |
 
|
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
 
|
             SECTION  5.    This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
 
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
 
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
 
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
 
|
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
 
|
legislative session. |