BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 2233

 

By: Simmons (Estes)

 

State Affairs

 

5/15/2013

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Ballot boards are currently limited to reviewing a voter's signature on a ballot application, the carrier envelope certificate, and the voter's registration application when comparing signatures to determine the validity and accuracy of an early voting ballot submitted by mail. There is concern that this limitation does not give ballot boards the ability to use all available resources.

 

H.B. 2233 amends current law relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted by mail.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 87.041(e), Election Code, as follows:

 

(e)  Authorizes the early voting ballot board (board), in making the determination under Subsection (b)(2) (relating to authorizing a ballot to be accepted if neither the voter's signature on the ballot application nor the signature on the carrier envelope certificate is determined to have been executed by a person other than the voter, unless signed by a witness), to also compare the signatures with any two or more signatures of the voter made within the preceding six years and on file with the voter registrar, rather than the signature on the voter's registration application, to confirm that the signatures are those of the same person but is prohibited from using the signatures to determine that the signatures are not those of the same person. Makes a conforming change.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.