86R9075 ADM-D
By: Allen H.B. No. 3251
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted
by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 87.027, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (i-1) to read as follows:
(i-1) In making the determination under Subsection (i), the
Signature Verification committee may only determine whether the
handwriting on the certificate and application indicates that the
same person executed both signatures. The committee may not
determine that two signatures were not executed by the same person
on the basis of which version of the same name the person used,
including:
(1) the inclusion of a middle name or initial in one
signature that is omitted in the other;
(2) the use of a common nickname in one signature and a
formal name in the other; or
(3) a variation between the two signatures of the
order of the person's first, middle, and last name.
SECTION 2. Section 87.041, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) In making the determination under Subsection (b)(2),
the board may only determine whether the handwriting on the
certificate and application indicates that the same person executed
both signatures. The board may not determine that two signatures
were not executed by the same person on the basis of which version
of the same name the person used, including:
(1) the inclusion of a middle name or initial in one
signature that is omitted in the other;
(2) the use of a common nickname in one signature and a
formal name in the other; or
(3) a variation between the two signatures of the
order of the person's first, middle, and last name.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.