86R9111 SRS-D
By: Dean H.B. No. 1819
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to including the qualifications for voting early by mail
on the ground of disability on certain early voting by mail
materials.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 52.005, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 52.005. BALLOT CONTENT DETERMINED ACCORDING TO
PRECINCT. Except as provided by Section 52.009, the [The] ballot
for an election precinct may contain only those offices and
propositions stating measures on which the qualified voters of the
precinct are entitled to vote.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 52, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 52.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 52.009. BALLOT FOR VOTING BY MAIL. A ballot to be
voted by mail under Chapter 86 must include a statement describing
the specific circumstances under which a voter may vote early by
mail on the ground of disability as provided by Section 82.002.
SECTION 3. Section 84.011(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The officially prescribed application form for an early
voting ballot must include:
(1) immediately preceding the signature space the
statement: "I certify that the information given in this
application is true, and I understand that giving false information
in this application is a crime.";
(2) a statement informing the applicant of the
offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;
(3) spaces for entering an applicant's voter
registration number and county election precinct of registration,
with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish
that information does not invalidate the application; and
(4) on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:
(A) a space for an applicant applying on the
ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date
on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address
outside the county;
(B) a space for indicating the fact that an
applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the
applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or
lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;
(C) a space for entering an applicant's telephone
number, with a statement informing the applicant that failure to
furnish that information does not invalidate the application;
(D) a space or box for an applicant applying on
the ground of age or disability to indicate that the address to
which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or
relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;
(E) a space or box for an applicant applying on
the ground of confinement in jail to indicate that the address to
which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a relative
described by Section 84.002(a)(4), if applicable;
(F) a space for an applicant applying on the
ground of age or disability to indicate if the application is an
application under Section 86.0015;
(G) spaces for entering the signature, printed
name, and residence address of any person assisting the applicant;
(H) a statement informing the applicant of the
condition prescribed by Section 81.005; [and]
(I) a statement informing the applicant of the
requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c); and
(J) a statement describing the specific
circumstances under which a voter may vote early by mail on the
ground of disability as provided by Section 82.002.
SECTION 4. Section 86.013(d), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) The following textual material, as prescribed by the
secretary of state, must be printed on the reverse side of the
official carrier envelope or on a separate sheet accompanying the
carrier envelope when it is provided:
(1) the prohibition prescribed by Section 86.006(b);
(2) the conditions for delivery by common or contract
carrier prescribed by Sections 81.005 and 86.006;
(3) the requirements for the legal execution and
delivery of the carrier envelope, including the prohibition on
compensation for depositing carrier envelopes containing ballots
voted by other persons under Section 86.0052;
(4) the prohibition prescribed by Section 86.006(e);
[and]
(5) the offenses prescribed by Sections 86.006(f) and
86.010(f); and
(6) a statement describing the specific circumstances
under which a voter may vote early by mail on the ground of
disability as provided by Section 82.002.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.