By: Campbell, et al. S.B. No. 1675
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to procedures for early 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
QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. Except as specifically permitted by
statute, the qualifications for early voting by mail and procedures
for conducting early voting by mail may not be amended or suspended
for any reason.
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. Upon declaration of a 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,
rule, or order under this section if the statute, rule, or order is
related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by
mail.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.