85R7904 ATP-D
By: Garcia S.B. No. 925
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the facilitation of voting by persons confined in
certain jails.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 16, Election Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 279 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 279. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF PERSONS CONFINED IN JAIL
Sec. 279.001. APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies to a
person confined in a city or county jail.
Sec. 279.002. NOTICE OF VOTING RIGHTS. (a) The secretary
of state shall prescribe a written notice to be provided to each
person confined in a city or county jail that states:
(1) that persons eligible to vote may vote an absentee
ballot from jail;
(2) the upcoming election dates; and
(3) the voter registration deadlines and absentee
ballot request deadlines applicable to the upcoming elections.
(b) The notice must be printed in English, Spanish,
Vietnamese, and Mandarin. On the request of a person who does not
speak one of these languages, a translation of the notice into the
person's primary language must be provided.
(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules relating to the
provision of the notice prescribed under this section to ensure
that the notice is visible and accessible to persons confined in the
jail.
Sec. 279.003. VOTING MATERIALS. (a) The officially
prescribed application form for registration by mail shall be made
available to persons confined in jail who are eligible to register
to vote. The officially prescribed application form for an early
voting ballot shall be made available to persons confined in jail
who are qualified voters.
(b) The authority in charge of the jail shall facilitate the
proper delivery of voter registration applications, applications
for ballots to be voted by mail, and marked ballots to eligible
persons and is responsible for the payment of any required postage.
(c) The secretary of state may adopt any rules necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.