H.B. No. 536
AN ACT
relating to the voter registration of a person who submits a federal
postcard application to vote in an election.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) The submission of a federal postcard application
constitutes an application for registration under this section at
the voting residence address stated on the application. This
subsection does not apply to a person who indicates on the person's
federal postcard application that the person is residing outside
the United States indefinitely. The secretary of state shall
prescribe rules to implement this subsection, including:
(1) rules providing directions to court clerks
regarding the inclusion on jury lists of persons who submit federal
postcard applications; and
(2) rules relating to whether a person who submits a
federal postcard application is to be considered a registered voter
of the applicable authority for the purposes of determining the
number of signatures required on a petition.
SECTION 2. Section 101.006(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The submission of a federal postcard application that
complies with the applicable requirements by an unregistered
applicant constitutes registration by the applicant:
(1) [only] for the purpose of voting in the election
for which a ballot is requested; and
(2) under Title 2 unless the person indicates on the
application that the person is residing outside the United States
indefinitely [each election that occurs on or before the date of the
second general election for state and county officers that occurs
after the date the application is submitted].
SECTION 3. Section 13.002(h), Election Code, as added by
this Act, and Section 101.006(a), Election Code, as amended by this
Act, apply to a federal postcard application that is received on or
after September 1, 2009, without regard to the date the application
is submitted.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 536 was passed by the House on April
9, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 536 was passed by the Senate on May
14, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor