89R13103 MPF-D
By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 3691
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to electronic submission of an application for an early
voting ballot by mail by certain persons.
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 CERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOT
VOTED BY MAIL: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION. (a) The secretary of state
shall implement a program to allow a person 65 years of age or older
to complete an application for an early voting ballot by mail over
the Internet from the official website of this state and from the
Internet website of the county in which the person is registered to
vote. 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 65 years of age or older 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 person'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, 2025.