86R7742 GRM-D
	By: Fierro	H.B. No. 2902

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the use of e-mail on a vote by mail application.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 84.011(a), Election Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a)  The officially prescribed application form for an early
	voting ballot must include:
	(1)  immediately preceding the signature space the
	statement:  "I certify that the information given in this
	application is true, and I understand that giving false information
	in this application is a crime.";
	(2)  a statement informing the applicant of the
	offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;
	(3)  spaces for entering an applicant's voter
	registration number and county election precinct of registration,
	with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish
	that information does not invalidate the application; and
	(4)  on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:
	(A)  a space for an applicant applying on the
	ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date
	on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address
	outside the county;
	(B)  a space for indicating the fact that an
	applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the
	applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or
	lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;
	(C)  a space for entering an applicant's telephone
	number and e-mail address, with a statement informing the applicant
	that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the
	application;
	(D)  a space or box for an applicant applying on
	the ground of age or disability to indicate that the address to
	which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or
	relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;
	(E)  a space or box for an applicant applying on
	the ground of confinement in jail to indicate that the address to
	which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a relative
	described by Section 84.002(a)(4), if applicable;
	(F)  a space for an applicant applying on the
	ground of age or disability to indicate if the application is an
	application under Section 86.0015;
	(G)  spaces for entering the signature, printed
	name, and residence address of any person assisting the applicant;
	(H)  a statement informing the applicant of the
	condition prescribed by Section 81.005; and
	(I)  a statement informing the applicant of the
	requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c).
	SECTION 2.  Section 86.001, Election Code, is amended by
	adding Subsections (f) and (f-1) to read as follows:
	(f)  The early voting clerk, before rejecting an
	application, shall make a reasonable effort to contact the
	applicant by e-mail at any e-mail address provided on the
	application, to ask questions about the application.  The applicant
	may make clerical corrections to the application by e-mail,
	including correcting the applicant's date of birth, correcting
	spelling of the applicant's name, or providing additional
	information to make corrections to an address or county of
	residence.  If an applicant has submitted an address that is not an
	acceptable mailing address, the applicant may submit to the early
	voting clerk a mailing address by e-mail.  If the early voting clerk
	does not receive a response before the fourth day after the date the
	clerk sent an e-mail to the e-mail address provided on the
	application, the clerk may reject the application.  The early
	voting clerk shall attach to and maintain with the original
	application submissions and corrections provided by e-mail under
	this subsection.
	(f-1)  An applicant may not change the address or county of
	residence submitted on the original application to a different
	address or county of residence by e-mail.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.