89R5034 PRL-D
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 979
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to voter registration at polling places.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 20.001, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:
(d-1) Each polling place is designated as a voter
registration agency.
SECTION 2. Chapter 20, Election Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. POLLING PLACE
Sec. 20.151. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS. The other
provisions of this chapter apply to a polling place except
provisions that conflict with this subchapter.
Sec. 20.152. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE. (a) An election
officer at the polling place shall provide to each person of voting
age who is lawfully present in the polling place and is not
registered to vote in the election an opportunity to complete a
voter registration application form.
(b) A polling place shall use the official form prescribed
by the secretary of state.
Sec. 20.153. DECLINATION FORM NOT REQUIRED. A polling
place is not required to comply with the procedures prescribed by
this chapter relating to the form for a declination of voter
registration.
Sec. 20.154. NOTIFICATION OF INELIGIBILITY TO VOTE IN
CURRENT ELECTION REQUIRED. An election officer who provides a
person an opportunity to complete a voter registration application
under this subchapter shall notify the person that the person is not
eligible to vote in the current election.
SECTION 3. Section 61.001(a-1), Election Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a-1) Under this code, a person may be lawfully present in a
polling place during the time described by Subsection (a) if the
person is:
(1) an election judge or clerk;
(2) a watcher;
(3) the secretary of state;
(4) a staff member of the Elections Division of the
Office of the Secretary of State performing an official duty in
accordance with this code;
(5) an election official, a sheriff, or a staff member
of an election official or sheriff delivering election supplies;
(6) a state inspector;
(7) a person admitted to vote;
(8) a child under 18 years of age who is accompanying a
parent who has been admitted to vote;
(9) a person providing assistance to a voter under
Section 61.032 or 64.032;
(10) a person accompanying a voter who has a
disability;
(11) a special peace officer appointed by the
presiding judge under Section 32.075;
(12) the county chair of a political party conducting
a primary election, as authorized by Section 172.1113;
(13) a voting system technician, as authorized by
Section 125.010;
(14) the county election officer, as defined by
Section 31.091, as necessary to perform tasks related to the
administration of the election; [or]
(15) a person whose presence has been authorized by
the presiding judge in accordance with this code; or
(16) a person registering to vote under Subchapter F,
Chapter 20.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.