AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
With an aging population that has grown and is expected to increase in the coming decades, more Texans are eligible to vote by mail (VBM). Current law allows counties with a population of 100,000 or more to begin processing VBM ballots nine days prior to the closing of the polls on Election Day. With some large counties receiving tens of thousands of VBM ballots, more time is needed to avoid mistakes and protect the security of the election process. S.B. 383 gives counties with a population of 100,000 or more additional time by allowing them to begin processing VBM ballots nine days before the end of the early voting period.
As proposed, S.B. 383 amends current law relating to the time of delivery to the early voting ballot board for ballots voted by mail in certain counties.
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 87.0222(a), Election Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 87.024 (Time of Delivery: Voting Machine Election), in an election conducted by an authority of a county with a population of 100,000 or more or conducted jointly with such a county, the jacket envelopes containing the early voting ballots voted by mail may be delivered to the early voting ballot board (board) between the end of the ninth day before the last day of the period for early voting by personal appearance and the closing of the polls on election day, rather than between the end of the ninth day before election day and the closing of the polls election day, or as soon after closing as practicable, at the time or times specified by the presiding judge of the board.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.