Bill Text: TX HB188 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to accommodating a voter unable to enter a polling place.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-09 - Filed [HB188 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB188-Introduced.html
| By: Swanson | H.B. No. 188 | |
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| relating to accommodating a voter unable to enter a polling place. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the | ||
| Legislature to ensure the integrity of elections in Texas, which | ||
| includes the promotion of voter access. | ||
| SECTION 2. Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by | ||
| adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: | ||
| (e) An election officer shall designate a parking space at | ||
| each polling place for voting under this section. The parking space | ||
| may not be one designated specifically for persons with | ||
| disabilities. The parking space must be clearly marked with a sign | ||
| indicating that the space is reserved for use by a voter who is | ||
| unable to enter the polling place. | ||
| (f) An election officer shall ensure that a voter has the | ||
| ability to request assistance from an election officer at the | ||
| polling place from inside a vehicle parked in the space designated | ||
| under Subsection (e) through use of: | ||
| (1) a telephone number displayed on the sign in large | ||
| font readable from the vehicle that the voter may text or call; or | ||
| (2) a button the voter may use to access an intercom | ||
| system. | ||
| SECTION 3. Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended to | ||
| read as follows: | ||
| (e) If the voter is physically unable to enter the early | ||
| voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of | ||
| injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting | ||
| materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb | ||
| following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009. | ||
| SECTION 4. 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. | ||
