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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to voting by voters unable to enter a polling place. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows: |
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(e) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and procedures |
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to implement this section as follows: |
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(1) to inform and educate the public and provide |
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training for election officers regarding the availability of voting |
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under this section, eligibility requirements for voting under this |
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section, and the law regarding voting under this section; |
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(2) to develop recommended procedures for a voter who |
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is eligible to vote under this section to notify an election officer |
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of the need for assistance, including requiring an election officer |
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to develop a system to check outside the polling place for an |
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eligible voter; |
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(3) to require the posting of signs outside of a |
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polling place that indicate voting under this section is available, |
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where eligible voters should wait, how an eligible voter should |
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notify an election officer of the need for assistance, and a |
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telephone number of the officer who administers elections that an |
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eligible voter may call for assistance; and |
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(4) to require election officials to develop a |
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procedure for ensuring a voter who is eligible to vote under this |
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section is provided the opportunity to vote in the same order as if |
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the voter were voting inside the polling place. |
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(f) The secretary of state may withhold all or part of any |
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funds administered and distributed by the secretary of state, |
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including funds distributed under Chapter 19 or Section 31.009, |
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from a political subdivision that operates a polling place that |
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violates the requirements established under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |