Bill Text: TX HB296 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to accommodating voters with a disability.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-23 - Referred to Elections [HB296 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB296-Introduced.html

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88R1209 MLH-D
By: Bucy H.B. No. 296

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to accommodating voters with a disability.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 63.0015, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to
read as follows:
(b) An election officer shall [may] accept a person with a
mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to
ambulate who is offering to vote before accepting others offering
to vote at the polling place who arrived before the person.
(c) Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility
problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate
shall be posted:
(1) at [one or more locations in] each entrance to a
polling place where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;
(2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state;
and
(3) on each Internet website relating to elections
maintained by a county.
(d) The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:
"Pursuant to Section 63.0015, Election Code, an election officer
shall [may] give voting order priority to individuals with a
mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to
move around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility
problem may also, at the individual's request, be given voting
order priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you
for voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use
of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the
ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic
condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the
inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a
brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device."
(f) All procedures and accommodations available for voters
with disabilities, including voting under Section 64.009, shall be
posted in an accessible manner on the county clerk's Internet
website.
SECTION 2. Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) At each polling place two parking spaces shall be
reserved for voting under this section. The spaces may not be
parking spaces designated specifically for persons with
disabilities. The parking spaces must be clearly marked with a sign
as being for use by a voter who is unable to enter the polling place.
The sign must have a telephone number that a voter may call or text
to request assistance from election officials at the polling place.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 84.0121 to read as follows:
Sec. 84.0121. CLERK TO POST APPLICATION FORM ONLINE. (a)
The early voting clerk shall post the official application form for
an early voting ballot on the clerk's Internet website in a format
that allows a person to easily complete the application directly on
the website before printing.
(b) The early voting clerk may use the application form
provided by the secretary of state under Section 84.013 or the early
voting clerk's own application form.
SECTION 4. Section 84.013, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 84.013. APPLICATION FORMS FURNISHED BY SECRETARY OF
STATE. (a) The secretary of state shall maintain a supply of the
official application forms for ballots to be voted by mail and shall
furnish the forms in reasonable quantities without charge to
individuals or organizations requesting them for distribution to
voters.
(b) The secretary of state shall provide a printable
application for a ballot by mail in a format that complies with
Section 84.0121(a) to the early voting clerk for use under that
section.
SECTION 5. Section 86.003, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the [The]
balloting materials for voting by mail shall be provided to the
voter by mail. A ballot provided by any other method may not be
counted.
(e) If a voter is eligible for early voting by mail on the
ground of disability, the balloting materials may be provided by
e-mail in PDF format, through a scanned format, or by any other
method of electronic transmission authorized by the secretary of
state in writing. The secretary of state shall adopt procedures to
implement this subsection.
SECTION 6. 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 7. 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 September 1, 2023.