Bill Text: TX HB4650 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the procedure for duplicating ballots for automatic counting.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-22 - Referred to Elections [HB4650 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4650-Introduced.html

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By: Hayes H.B. No. 4650

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the procedure for duplicating ballots for automatic
counting.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 87.102, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The authority adopting an electronic voting system in
which ballots are counted at a central counting station may direct
by resolution, order, or other official action that the early
voting regular paper ballots cast in an election be duplicated as
electronic system ballots for automatic counting at the central
counting station.
(b) Early voting ballots that are to be duplicated under
this section shall be delivered to the central counting station as
prescribed by Section 87.101 and shall be treated in the same manner
as damaged electronic system ballots that are duplicated for
automatic counting.
(c) If an electronic system ballot is damaged to the extent
it cannot be automatically counted, the ballot may be duplicated so
it can be automatically counted.
(d) A procedure other than duplication may not be used to
process a ballot subject to this section unless the procedure is
expressly authorized by the secretary of state.
(e) Each duplicate ballot must be clearly labeled
"Duplicate" and must bear the serial number of the original ballot.
(f) The duplicate shall be substituted for the original
ballot in the ballots prepared for automatic counting. The
original shall be preserved with the other voted ballots for the
same period.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.