H.B. No. 1597




AN ACT

relating to the use of federal write-in absentee ballots by 
military and overseas personnel.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 105, Election Code, is amended by adding 
Section 105.003 to read as follows:
	Sec. 105.003.  USE OF FEDERAL WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR 
ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICE.  The secretary of state shall 
prescribe procedures to allow a voter who qualifies to vote by a 
federal write-in absentee ballot to vote through use of a federal 
write-in absentee ballot in any general, special, primary, or 
runoff election for federal office.
	SECTION 2.  The chapter heading to Chapter 105, Election 
Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 105.  VOTING BY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR OTHER PERSONS
OVERSEAS
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 1597 was passed by the House on April 
10, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 1597 was passed by the Senate on May 
28, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor