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