By: Campbell, et al. S.J.R. No. 61

(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2021; March 24, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 21, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 2, one present not voting; April 21, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.J.R. No. 61 By: Campbell

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting temporary suspension of absentee voting procedures.

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

SECTION 1. Section 2, Article VI, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:

(d) The qualifications for absentee voting and procedures for conducting absentee voting may not be amended or suspended except by specific law passed by the Legislature.

(e) A law passed by the Legislature granting the governor general authority to suspend provisions of statute or rules of a state agency does not grant the governor authority to amend or suspend the qualifications for absentee voting or the procedures for conducting absentee voting unless the law expressly provides otherwise.

(f) A law passed by the Legislature granting a presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision general authority to declare a local state of disaster does not grant the presiding officer authority to amend or suspend the qualifications for absentee voting or the procedures for conducting absentee voting unless the law expressly provides otherwise.

SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 2021. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment prohibiting temporary suspension of absentee voting procedures."

* * * * *