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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the time for returning mail ballots. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 86.007, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a), (d), and (g) and adding Subsection (d-1) |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (d) or (d-1), a marked |
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ballot voted by mail must arrive at the address on the carrier |
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envelope before the time the polls are required to close on election |
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day. |
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(d) A marked ballot voted by mail that arrives after the |
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time prescribed by Subsection (a) shall be counted if: |
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(1) the ballot was cast from an address outside the |
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United States; |
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(2) the carrier envelope was placed for delivery |
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before the time the ballot is required to arrive under Subsection |
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(a); and |
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(3) the ballot arrives at the address on the carrier |
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envelope not later than the eighth [fifth] day after the date of the |
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election, except that if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or |
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legal state or national holiday, then the deadline is extended to |
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the next regular business day. |
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(d-1) A marked ballot voted by mail that arrives after the |
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time prescribed by Subsection (a) shall be counted if: |
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(1) balloting materials are sent after the time |
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prescribed by Section 86.004 for providing the ballots; and |
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(2) the ballot arrives at the address on the carrier |
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envelope not later than the eighth day after the date of the |
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election, except that if that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or |
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legal state or national holiday, then the deadline is extended to |
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the next regular business day. |
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(g) The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures as |
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necessary to implement Subsections [Subsection] (d) and (d-1). |
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SECTION 2. Section 67.003(c), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) In an election described by Section 65.051(a-1) or in an |
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election in which Section 86.007(d-1)(1) applies, the time for the |
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local canvass may be set not later than the 14th day after election |
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day. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |