By: Paxton S.B. No. 1572

(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2021; March 24, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 5, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 3; May 5, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1572 By: Hall

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the numbering and signing of ballots by early voting clerks and deputy early voting clerks.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 85.0311, Election Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 85.0311. DEPUTY EARLY VOTING CLERK TO SIGN BALLOTS. (a) The deputy early voting clerk's signature or initials shall be placed on the back of each ballot to be used at the polling place where the deputy early voting clerk accepts voters voting by personal appearance.

(b) The deputy early voting clerk at a polling place shall enter the signature or initials of the deputy early voting clerk on each ballot [or a deputy early voting clerk shall stamp a facsimile of the initials on each ballot].

(c) The signing of ballots under this section need not be completed before the polls open, but an unsigned ballot may not be made available for selection by a voter.

(d) The duties of a deputy early voting clerk and the placement of a signature or initials required by this section may not be satisfied using automation of any type.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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