88R7233 MLH-D
By: Hall S.B. No. 2463
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the procedure for early voting.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.002(c), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) Immediately after closing the polls for voting on
election day and on the last day of early voting by personal
appearance, the presiding election judge or alternate election
judge shall print the tape to show the number of votes cast for each
candidate or ballot measure for each voting machine.
SECTION 2. Sections 85.001(a) and (c), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) The period for early voting by personal appearance
begins on the eighth [17th] day before election day and continues
through the [fourth] day before election day, except as otherwise
provided by this section.
(c) If the date prescribed by Subsection (a) [or (b)] for
beginning the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday,
the early voting period begins on the next regular business day.
SECTION 3. Section 85.033, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 85.033. SECURITY OF VOTING MACHINE. (a) At the close
of early voting each day, the early voting clerk shall secure each
voting machine used for early voting in the manner prescribed by the
secretary of state so that its unauthorized operation is prevented.
The clerk shall unsecure the machine before the beginning of early
voting the following day.
(b) To the extent possible, closing and securing of voting
machines shall be done in the same manner as required by provisions
of this code pertaining to election day.
SECTION 4. Sections 85.001(b) and (e), Election Code, are
repealed.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.