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AN ACT
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relating to the deadlines by which provisional ballots must be |
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processed and the state canvass must be conducted for certain |
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elections. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 65.051, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for an election held |
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on the date of the general election for state and county officers, |
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the early voting ballot board shall verify and count provisional |
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ballots as provided by this subchapter not later than the 13th day |
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after the date of the election. |
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SECTION 2. Section 65.052, Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 65.052. DUTY OF VOTER REGISTRAR. The secretary of |
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state shall prescribe procedures by which the voter registrar of |
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the county in which a provisional ballot is cast shall provide |
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assistance to the early voting ballot board in executing its |
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authority under this subchapter. In an election described by |
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Section 65.051(a-1), the procedures must allow for seven calendar |
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days for the voter registrar to review a provisional voter's |
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eligibility. |
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SECTION 3. Section 67.003, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), each local |
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canvassing authority shall convene to conduct the local canvass at |
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the time set by the canvassing authority's presiding officer not |
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earlier than the eighth day or later than the 11th day after |
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election day. |
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(c) In an election described by Section 65.051(a-1), the |
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time for the local canvass may be set not later than the 14th day |
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after election day. |
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SECTION 4. Section 67.012(a), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The governor shall conduct the state canvass [not
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earlier than the 15th or later than the 30th day after election day] |
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at the time set by the secretary of state: |
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(1) not earlier than the 15th or later than the 30th |
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day after election day; or |
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(2) for an election described by Section 65.051(a-1), |
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not earlier than the 18th or later than the 33rd day after election |
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day. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 985 was passed by the House on May 3, |
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2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 985 was passed by the Senate on May |
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20, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |