85R789 ATP-D
By: Miller H.B. No. 929
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the time for returning mail ballots.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 86.007, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (d), and (g) and adding Subsection (d-1)
to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d) or (d-1), a marked
ballot voted by mail must arrive at the address on the carrier
envelope before the time the polls are required to close on election
day.
(d) A marked ballot voted by mail that arrives after the
time prescribed by Subsection (a) shall be counted if:
(1) the ballot was cast from an address outside the
United States;
(2) the carrier envelope was placed for delivery
before the time the ballot is required to arrive under Subsection
(a); and
(3) the ballot arrives at the address on the carrier
envelope not later than the eighth [fifth] day after the date of the
election, except that if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal state or national holiday, then the deadline is extended to
the next regular business day.
(d-1) A marked ballot voted by mail that arrives after the
time prescribed by Subsection (a) shall be counted if:
(1) balloting materials are sent after the time
prescribed by Section 86.004 for providing the ballots; and
(2) the ballot arrives at the address on the carrier
envelope not later than the eighth day after the date of the
election, except that if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal state or national holiday, then the deadline is extended to
the next regular business day.
(g) The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures as
necessary to implement Subsections [Subsection] (d) and (d-1).
SECTION 2. Section 67.003(c), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) In an election described by Section 65.051(a-1) or in an
election in which Section 86.007(d-1)(1) applies, the time for the
local canvass may be set not later than the 14th day after election
day.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.