86R3621 SRS-D
By: Powell S.B. No. 1298
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the acceptance of certain voters at a polling place.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 63.0013, Election Code, as added by
Chapter 980 (H.B. 658), Acts of the 85th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2017, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 63.0013. ACCEPTING CERTAIN VOTERS [WITH CERTAIN
DISABILITIES]. (a) In this section:
(1) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by
Section 421.095, Government Code.
(2) "Mobility[, "mobility] problem that substantially
impairs a person's ability to ambulate" has the meaning assigned by
Section 681.001, Transportation Code.
(b) An election officer may accept a person with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
or a uniformed first responder who is offering to vote before
accepting others offering to vote at the polling place who arrived
before the person.
(c) Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
or to uniformed first responders shall be posted:
(1) at one or more locations in each polling place
where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;
(2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state;
and
(3) on each Internet website relating to elections
maintained by a county.
(d) The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:
"Pursuant to Section 63.0013, Election Code, an election officer
may give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move
around or to uniformed first responders. A person assisting an
individual with a mobility problem may also, at the individual's
request, be given voting order priority. Disabilities and
conditions that may qualify you for voting order priority include
paralysis, lung disease, the use of portable oxygen, cardiac
deficiency, severe limitation in the ability to walk due to
arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, wheelchair
confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the inability to walk 200
feet without stopping to rest, or use of a brace, cane, crutch, or
other assistive device."
(e) A person assisting a voter in accordance with Section
64.032(c) may be accepted to vote concurrently with a person
accepted under Subsection (b) of this section at the voter's
request.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.