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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an application to vote early by mail on the grounds of |
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disability or confinement for childbirth. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 82.002, Election Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 82.002. DISABILITY OR CONFINEMENT FOR CHILDBIRTH. |
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SECTION 2. Section 82.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read |
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as follows: |
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(a) A qualified voter is eligible for early voting by mail |
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if the voter: |
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(1) has a sickness or physical condition that prevents |
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the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day |
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without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring |
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the voter's health; or |
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(2) is expecting to give birth within three weeks |
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before or after election day. |
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(b) The following do not constitute [Expected or likely |
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confinement for childbirth on election day is] sufficient cause to |
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entitle a voter to vote under Subsection (a): |
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(1) a lack of transportation; |
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(2) a sickness that does not prevent the voter from |
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appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood |
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of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health; |
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or |
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(3) a requirement to appear at the voter's place of |
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employment on election day. |
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(c) To be eligible for an early voting ballot by mail under |
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Subsection (a)(1), an applicant must affirmatively indicate that he |
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or she agrees with the statement prescribed by Section 84.002(c). |
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SECTION 3. Section 84.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) An application for a ballot to be voted by mail on the |
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ground of disability must require the applicant to affirmatively |
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indicate that the applicant agrees with the statement, "I have a |
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sickness or physical condition that prevents me from appearing at |
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the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing |
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personal assistance or injuring my health," as prescribed by |
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Section 82.002(a). |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |