By: Noble H.B. No. 31
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to
be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail;
changing the elements of a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) An application must be in writing and signed by the
applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature or
photocopied signature is not permitted.
SECTION 2. Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the
official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place
the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal
the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier
envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature or
photocopied signature is not permitted.
SECTION 3. Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by
depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or
contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that
purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and
residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person
must sign the envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature
or photocopied signature is not permitted.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by
mail submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by
mail submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by
the law in effect when the application or ballot was submitted, and
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.