BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3448

By: Aliseda

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been reports of organizations providing prospective voters with incomplete or inaccurate information about the eligibility requirements for voting by mail. Interested parties note that legislation is needed to require the inclusion of certain accurate and informative statements on an officially prescribed application form for an early voting ballot to be voted by mail.  H.B. 3448 seeks to address these issues relating to requirements for the application form for an early voting mail ballot.

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

H.B. 3448 amends the Election Code to expand the elements that must be included on the officially prescribed application form for an early voting ballot to be voted by mail to include a statement informing the applicant of the eligibility requirements for early voting by mail as established by provisions of law and a statement informing the applicant of the offense and penalty for knowingly providing false information on an application for an early voting ballot.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.