82R9928 JRJ-D
By: Harper-Brown, Burkett H.B. No. 1761
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to instructions included on balloting materials for a
ballot to be voted by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 86.002(d), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) The secretary of state shall prescribe instructions to
be printed on the balloting materials as follows:
(1) for the execution and return of a statement of
residence, [. The instructions must include] an explanation of the
circumstances under which the ballot must be rejected with respect
to the statement; and
(2) the following statement printed in English and
Spanish: "A stranger may show up at your residence offering to help
you with your ballot soon after you have received the ballot in the
mail. We recommend you decline this help for several reasons. If
you allow your ballot to be mailed by someone you do not know, it may
not be mailed at all. Your ballot will be rejected by the county
elections office if a common or contract carrier attempts to
deliver your ballot from the address of a candidate or a campaign's
headquarters. The safety of your vote is best assured by asking
someone you know and trust to help you read, mark, or mail your
ballot."
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.