87R1905 ADM-D
By: González of Dallas H.B. No. 479
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to electronic submission of an application for an early
voting ballot by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 84.001(b) and (d), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(b) An application must be in writing and signed by the
applicant. Except as provided by Section 84.0091, an [An]
electronic signature is not permitted.
(d) An application must be submitted [by mail] to the early
voting clerk for the election who serves the election precinct of
the applicant's residence.
SECTION 2. Section 84.007(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Sections 84.008, [and] 84.009, and
84.0091, an application for a ballot to be voted by mail must be
submitted as provided by this section.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 84.0091 to read as follows:
Sec. 84.0091. SUBMITTING APPLICATION FOR BALLOT VOTED BY
MAIL: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION. The secretary of state shall
implement a program to allow a person to complete an application for
an early voting ballot by mail over the Internet from the official
website of this state. The program must:
(1) permit an applicant to electronically sign the
application;
(2) deliver a completed application to the early
voting clerk for the election who serves the election precinct of
the applicant's residence; and
(3) permit an applicant to check the status of the
applicant's application.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.