Texas House Bill HB952

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the use of e-mail on a vote by mail application.

Impact

If enacted, HB 952 would significantly impact the way voting by mail is administered in Texas, allowing for greater flexibility in communication between voters and election officials. By enabling voters to correct clerical errors and submit additional information through e-mail, the bill addresses potential barriers to accessing mail-in voting, particularly for those who may encounter issues with their applications. It is anticipated that this measure could lead to an increase in the number of successful mail-in ballot applications, thereby encouraging greater electoral participation.

Summary

House Bill 952 seeks to amend existing Election Code provisions to facilitate the use of e-mail in the context of vote by mail applications. This legislation mandates that the official application form for early voting ballots includes an e-mail address field. It stipulates that the early voting clerk must make reasonable efforts to contact applicants via e-mail if issues arise with their applications. This change is aimed at streamlining the application process and ensuring that voters can provide necessary corrections swiftly, potentially enhancing voter participation and efficiency in election administration.

Contention

While the bill is primarily aimed at improving voter access, it does raise some concerns from certain groups. Critics argue that reliance on e-mail could introduce security risks and may disadvantage some voters, particularly those without reliable internet access. Additionally, there is concern regarding the possibility of fraudulent applications being processed if adequate safeguards are not established. Furthermore, the limitation on changing addresses via e-mail (as stipulated in the bill) could lead to confusion and complications for voters who may need to update their information closer to the election.