H.B. No. 315
AN ACT
relating to a statement by the secretary of state regarding the
furnishing of certain personal information on an application for a
ballot to be voted by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 84.011, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) The officially prescribed application form for an early
voting ballot must include:
(1) immediately preceding the signature space the
statement: "I certify that the information given in this
application is true, and I understand that giving false information
in this application is a crime.";
(2) a statement informing the applicant of the
offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;
(3) spaces for entering an applicant's voter
registration number and county election precinct of registration,
with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish
that information does not invalidate the application;
(3-a) a space for entering the information required
under Section 84.002(a)(1-a); and
(4) on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:
(A) a space for an applicant applying on the
ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date
on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address
outside the county;
(B) a space for indicating the fact that an
applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the
applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or
lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;
(C) a space for entering an applicant's telephone
number, with:
(i) a statement informing the applicant
that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the
application; and
(ii) a statement prescribed by the
secretary of state explaining the benefits of furnishing that
information, including how that information assists the early
voting clerk;
(D) a space or box for an applicant applying on
the ground of age or disability to indicate that the address to
which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or
relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;
(E) a space or box for an applicant applying on
the ground of confinement in jail or involuntary civil commitment
to indicate that the address to which the ballot is to be mailed is
the address of a relative described by Section 84.002(a)(4) or (7),
if applicable;
(F) a space for an applicant applying on the
ground of age or disability to indicate if the application is an
application under Section 86.0015;
(G) spaces for entering the signature, printed
name, and residence address of any person assisting the applicant;
(H) a statement informing the applicant of the
condition prescribed by Section 81.005; and
(I) a statement informing the applicant of the
requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c).
(c) The secretary of state shall make the statement
prescribed by Subsection (a)(4)(C)(ii) available on the
secretary's Internet website.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 315 was passed by the House on May 9,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 126, Nays 16, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 315 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor