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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to accommodating a voter unable to enter a polling place. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: |
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(e) An election officer shall designate a parking space at |
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each polling place for voting under this section. The parking space |
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may not be one designated specifically for persons with |
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disabilities. The parking space must be clearly marked with a sign |
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indicating that the space is reserved for use by a voter who is |
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unable to enter the polling place. |
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(f) An election officer shall ensure that a voter has the |
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ability to request assistance from an election officer at the |
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polling place from inside a vehicle parked in the space designated |
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under Subsection (e) through use of: |
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(1) a telephone number displayed on the sign in large |
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font readable from the vehicle that the voter may text or call; or |
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(2) a button the voter may use to access an intercom |
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system. |
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SECTION 2. Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(e) If the voter is physically unable to enter the early |
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voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of |
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injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting |
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materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb |
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following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |