HBA-JEK H.B. 1779 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1779 By: Bailey Elections 4/16/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law requires that a person voting in an election be registered to vote before the 30th day preceding the election. Allowing persons to register to vote at their precinct polls on election day would be convenient for many voters and might increase voter participation. House Bill 1779 authorizes a person to register and be accepted for voting at the precinct polling place of the person's residence on election day if the person submits an appropriate voter registration application and proof of identification. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1779 amends the Election Code to require that a person who would be eligible to vote, except for the requirement to be a registered voter, be accepted for voting in the precinct of the person's residence if, on the day the person offers to vote, the person submits an appropriate voter registration application and either presents documentation of proof of identification that establishes the person's residence or submits an affidavit as described in the bill. The bill requires persons voting under these provisions to be processed separately at the polling place from persons who are voting under regular procedures. The bill requires the secretary of state to prescribe the procedures necessary to implement these provisions and to ensure the proper and orderly conduct of elections. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.