Bill Text: TX HB5172 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to eligibility for early voting by mail.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-24 - Referred to Elections [HB5172 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB5172-Introduced.html

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By: Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 5172

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility for early voting by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 82.001(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) If a voter's early voting ballot application is
submitted on or after the first day of the period for early voting
by personal appearance, the voter is ineligible for early voting by
mail unless:
(1) the voter is absent from the county when the
application is submitted and satisfies the requirements
prescribed by Subsection (a); or.
(2) the nature of the voter's occupation requires
frequent and unexpected travel, and the voter will need to be
absent from their county of residence on election day and
during the period for early voting by personal appearance to
prevent causing a disruption in the operations of the voter's
employer.
SECTION 2. Section 84.002(a), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) An early voting ballot application must include:
(1) the applicant's name and the address at which the
applicant is registered to vote;
(1-a) the following information:
(A) the number of the applicant's driver's
license, election identification certificate, or personal
identification card issued by the Department of Public
Safety;
(B) if the applicant has not been issued a number
described by Paragraph (A), the last four digits of the
applicant's social security number; or
(C) a statement by the applicant that the
applicant has not been issued a number described by Paragraph
(A) or (B);
(2) for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail on
the ground of absence from the county of residence, the address
outside the applicant's county of residence to which the ballot is
to be mailed unless the applicant will be absent from their county
of residence as prescribed by Section 82.001(b)(2);
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.