78R2107 DRH-D

By:  Madden                                                       H.B. No. 1597



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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.