Bill Text: TX HB31 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 2nd Special Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail; changing the elements of a criminal offense.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-08-23 - Referred to Constitutional Rights & Remedies [HB31 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB31-Introduced.html
By: Noble | H.B. No. 31 |
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relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to | ||
be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail; | ||
changing the elements of a criminal offense. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(b) An application must be in writing and signed by the | ||
applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature or | ||
photocopied signature is not permitted. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the | ||
official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place | ||
the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal | ||
the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier | ||
envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature or | ||
photocopied signature is not permitted. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by | ||
depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or | ||
contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that | ||
purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and | ||
residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person | ||
must sign the envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature | ||
or photocopied signature is not permitted. | ||
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies to an | ||
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by | ||
mail submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An | ||
application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by | ||
mail submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by | ||
the law in effect when the application or ballot was submitted, and | ||
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. | ||
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the | ||
legislative session. |