| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted |
|
|
by mail; creating a criminal offense. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 82.002, Election Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read |
|
|
as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 82.002. DISABILITY. (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) expects 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) 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 am |
|
|
physically unable to enter a polling place on election day without |
|
|
needing personal assistance or injuring my health," as prescribed |
|
|
by Section 82.002(a). |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |