This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

                                                                                



By:  Keel, Hodge                                                  H.B. No. 2405



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting a person not entitled to receive an early 
voting ballot by mail from casting that ballot; providing a 
criminal penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 84.001, Election Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (g) to read as 
follows:
	(f)  A person who has not made an application as provided by 
this title is not entitled to receive an early voting ballot to be 
voted by mail.  A marked ballot voted by mail of a person who has not 
made an application as provided by this title may not be counted.
	(g)  A person commits an offense if, with the intent that an 
unlawful ballot be cast, the person directs the return of a marked 
early voting ballot by mail as provided by Section 86.006 with the 
knowledge that the ballot is from a voter who is not entitled to 
receive an early voting ballot to be voted by mail.  An offense 
under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
	SECTION 2.  Section 86.002, Election Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
	(h)  The clerk shall include with the balloting materials a 
notice in a form prescribed by the secretary of state:
		(1)  informing the voter of the categories of persons 
who are eligible to vote by mail; and
		(2)  stating that the voter should not cast the ballot 
unless the voter or a person authorized by this code to assist the 
voter requested the ballot.
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies only to an election ordered on 
or after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.