H.B. 2064 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2064
By: Bohac
Elections
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, an applicant for early voting by mail is only allowed
to use an application that has been pre-printed with the name and address
of the early voting clerk.  This requirement has proven to be too strict,
harming more voters than it has helped.  The secretary of state recommends
that the law applying to early voting applications be made consistent with
those applicable to the Federal Postcard Applications (FPCA).  House Bill
2064 modifies the procedure for returning an application for an early
voting ballot to conform with that used for the submission of FPCA. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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


ANALYSIS

House Bill 2064 amends the Election Code by deletingg the provision that
prohibits an applicant for early voting by mail from using an application
form that is not printed or stamped with the name or office or official
title of the early voting clerk as addressee and the clerk's official
mailing address.  The bill provides that an application must be submitted
by mail to the early voting clerk for the election who serves the election
precinct of the applicant's residence.   

The bill requires an application that is addressed to the wrong early
voting clerk to be forwarded to the proper early voting clerk not later
than the day after it is received by the wrong clerk. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.