BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 654
                                                     By: Moncrief
                                                    State Affairs
                                                         04-11-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Older and disabled voters currently have to apply for a mail-in
ballot for each election.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 654 authorizes persons over 65 years of age or
with a physical disability to vote early by mail.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 84.001(d), Election Code, to provide that
this subsection does not apply to an applicant for an early voting
ballot by mail under Section 84.0091.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 84.007(a), Election Code, to make
conforming changes.

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 84A, Election Code, by adding Section
84.0091, as follows:

     Sec. 84.0091.  ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR BALLOT BY MAIL; VOTERS
     OVER 65 OR WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY.  (a)  Provides that a
     person is eligible to apply for the receipt of early voting
     ballots by mail as provided by this section if the person is
     65 years of age or older on the date the application is made
     or the person has on the date of the application a sickness or
     physical disability that will prevent the person from
     appearing at a polling place during the year for which the
     application is made.
     
     (b)  Authorizes a qualified voter who is eligible under this
       section to apply to the county clerk of the county in which
       the voter resides to be put on a list to receive an early
       voting ballot by mail for each election to be held during
       the calendar year for which the application is made.
       
       (c)  Requires the county clerk to keep all original
       applications on file and create and keep current a list of
       all eligible qualified voters that make an application under
       this section, prior to each election during a calendar year
       to which the list applies.  Requires a qualified voter whose
       name appears on the list to be deemed to have submitted an
       application for early voting by mail.
       
       (d)  Requires an application under this section to be
       submitted to the county clerk by mail or by common or
       contract carrier.  Requires the names of eligible qualified
       voters whose applications are submitted prior to the 60th
       day before an election to appear on the list provided to
       early voting clerks under Subsection (c).
       
       (e)  Provides that a list created by a county clerk under
       this section expires on December 31 of each year. 
       Authorizes an applicant to apply to appear on the current
       year's list as the applicant becomes eligible under this
       section.  Authorizes an applicant to apply to appear on the
       subsequent year's list at any time after September 1.
       
       (f)  Requires an annual application for the receipt of early
       voting ballots by mail to include certain information.
       
       SECTION 4.   Effective date:  September 1, 1995

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.