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.