Texas House Bill HB1807

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the use of an applicant's e-mail address on a vote by mail application.

Impact

One key provision of HB1807 is that it establishes that the e-mail address provided by voters for applying to vote by mail will be considered confidential and not subject to public disclosure under the Government Code. This is significant as it helps protect voters' personal information while allowing election officials to utilize the e-mail address strictly for purpose-related communications, such as notifying voters about necessary corrections on their applications.

Summary

House Bill 1807 pertains to the use of an applicant's e-mail address on a vote by mail application. The bill amends the Election Code to require that an application for an early voting ballot must include a provision for the applicant to provide their e-mail address, alongside measures to maintain the confidentiality of that information. The intent behind this legislation is to facilitate communication between election officials and voters, particularly when errors on mail-in ballots need to be corrected in a timely manner.

Contention

Although the bill seems to promote accessibility and streamline the voting process, it has not been without contention. Critics may express concerns regarding the potential for misuse of the e-mail information, as well as the training necessary for election officials to adhere to the new procedures. Some may argue about the adequacy of the measures in preventing unauthorized access to voters' private information. Additionally, there could be skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the communication methods that rely on electronic correspondence, especially among populations that may not have regular access to digital technology.