By: Campbell, et al. S.B. No. 1675
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to procedures for early voting by mail and voting by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Election Code, is amended by adding
Section 81.006 to read as follows:
Sec. 81.006. MODIFICATION OF EARLY VOTING BY MAIL AND
VOTING BY MAIL QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. Except as
specifically permitted by statute, the qualifications may not be
amended or suspended for any reason for:
(1) early voting by mail and procedures for conducting early
voting by mail; and
(2) voting by mail and procedures for conducting voting by
mail.
SECTION 2. Section 418.016, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as provided
by this subsection, the governor may not suspend a provision of a
statute, an order, or a rule under this section if the provision,
order, or rule is related to the qualifications or procedures for
early voting by mail and voting by mail. Upon declaration of state
of disaster, the governor may suspend Section 86.006(a-1), Election
Code, only for the purpose of allowing a voter registered to vote at
an address located in a disaster area to deliver a marked ballot
voted under Section 86.006(a-1) to the early voting clerk's office
on or before election day.
SECTION 3. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
(j) the presiding officer of the governing body of a
political subdivision may not suspend a provision of a statute, an
order, or a rule under this section if the provision, order, or rule
is related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by
mail and voting by mail.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.