87R3832 TSS-D
By: Cole H.B. No. 1244
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and
related procedures.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 12.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.007. CERTAIN ELECTION OFFICERS ARE VOTER
REGISTRARS. The registrar shall appoint at least one election
officer serving each polling place for early voting by personal
appearance or on election day as a regular deputy registrar.
SECTION 2. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 63.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 63.010. REGISTRATION AT POLLING PLACE; VOTING
PROCEDURES. (a) Other applicable provisions of this code apply to
the conduct of voting and to the registration of voters under this
section to the extent those provisions do not conflict with this
section.
(b) A person who would be eligible to vote in an election
under Section 11.001, but for the requirement to be a registered
voter, shall be accepted for voting in the precinct of the person's
residence if, on the day the person offers to vote, the person:
(1) submits a voter registration application that
complies with Section 13.002 to a voter registrar at the polling
place; and
(2) presents as proof of identification:
(A) a form of photo identification listed in
Section 63.0101(a) that states the person's current address on the
day the person seeks to vote; or
(B) a document listed in Section 63.0101(b)(2)
and another form of identification listed in Section 63.0101(a),
(b)(1), or (b)(3).
(c) Persons voting under this section shall be processed
separately at the polling place from persons who are voting under
regular procedures.
(d) The secretary of state shall adopt rules to ensure the
accountability of election officers and to fairly implement this
section.
SECTION 3. Section 85.031(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) For each person entitled to vote an early voting ballot
by personal appearance or entitled to register at a polling place,
the early voting clerk shall follow the procedure for accepting or
registering a regular voter on election day, with the modifications
necessary for the conduct of early voting.
SECTION 4. The secretary of state shall adopt rules as
required by Section 63.010, Election Code, as added by this Act, not
later than February 1, 2022.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an election for which early voting by personal appearance begins on
or after February 1, 2022.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.