88R391 ADM-D
By: González of Dallas H.B. No. 701
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) Subject to Section 1.011 and except as provided by
Section 84.0091, an application must be submitted in writing and
signed by the applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature
or photocopied signature is not permitted except as provided by
Section 84.0091.
(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. (a) 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.
(b) The program implemented under Subsection (a) must
require a person to provide the following information before
allowing the person to complete an application for an early voting
ballot by mail:
(1) the person's name and voter registration number or
registration address;
(2) the voter's driver's license number or personal
identification card number issued by the Department of Public
Safety; and
(3) the last four digits of the person's social
security number.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.