Texas Senate Bill SB378

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the electronic transmission of a ballot to a voter voting early by mail on the ground of absence from the county of residence.

Impact

The adoption of SB378 represents a significant shift in how the state approaches absentee voting, potentially increasing voter participation by making the process more convenient. Critics and supporters of the bill recognize the potential for an increased turnout among individuals who find it challenging to return to their registered voting locations. However, implementing electronic voting measures raises concerns regarding security and verification, as the methods of electronic transmission and return of ballots still require stringent safeguards to maintain election integrity.

Summary

SB378 aims to enhance the accessibility of voting in Texas by allowing voters who are absent from their county of residence to receive their ballots electronically. This amendment to the Election Code permits voters on the grounds of absence to select an option on their early voting ballot application for receiving ballot materials via electronic means, such as email. The introduced section emphasizes that while ballots can be sent electronically, they must ultimately be returned to the early voting clerk by mail or via a common carrier to ensure they are counted. This electronic ballot method responds to the growing need for accommodating voters who may not be able to vote in person due to various circumstances.

Contention

Within legislative discussions, points of contention emerged primarily around the efficacy and security of electronic ballot transmission. Proponents argued that allowing electronic access to ballots would modernize voting procedures and cater to the needs of a mobile society, while opponents voiced apprehension related to the risks of fraud or mishandling that electronic methods might entail. Furthermore, ensuring the confidentiality of voter information was a primary focus, with stipulations that email addresses provided for ballot transmission should remain confidential and not accessible to public information requests.