87S10266 SGM-D
 
  By: Fierro H.B. No. 244
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the opportunity to correct a vote by mail application.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 84.011(a), Election Code, as effective
  September 1, 2021, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The officially prescribed application form for an early
  voting ballot must include:
               (1)  immediately preceding the signature space the
  statement:  "I certify that the information given in this
  application is true, and I understand that giving false information
  in this application is a crime.";
               (2)  a statement informing the applicant of the
  offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;
               (3)  spaces for entering an applicant's voter
  registration number and county election precinct of registration,
  with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish
  that information does not invalidate the application; and
               (4)  on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:
                     (A)  a space for an applicant applying on the
  ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date
  on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address
  outside the county;
                     (B)  a space for indicating the fact that an
  applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the
  applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or
  lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;
                     (C)  a space for entering an applicant's telephone
  number and e-mail address, with a statement informing the applicant
  that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the
  application;
                     (D)  a space or box for an applicant applying on
  the ground of age or disability to indicate that the address to
  which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or
  relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;
                     (E)  a space or box for an applicant applying on
  the ground of confinement in jail or involuntary civil commitment
  to indicate that the address to which the ballot is to be mailed is
  the address of a relative described by Section 84.002(a)(4) or (7),
  if applicable;
                     (F)  a space for an applicant applying on the
  ground of age or disability to indicate if the application is an
  application under Section 86.0015;
                     (G)  spaces for entering the signature, printed
  name, and residence address of any person assisting the applicant;
                     (H)  a statement informing the applicant of the
  condition prescribed by Section 81.005; and
                     (I)  a statement informing the applicant of the
  requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c).
         SECTION 2.  Section 86.001, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
         (f)  The early voting clerk, before rejecting an application
  on the basis of a clerical error, shall make a reasonable effort to
  contact the applicant by telephone or e-mail at any telephone
  number or e-mail address provided on the application to notify the
  applicant of the error.  The applicant may appear at the early
  voting clerk's office to make clerical corrections to the
  application or submit a new application after receiving notice
  under this section.  If the applicant does not appear at the early
  voting clerk's office before the fourth day after the date the early
  voting clerk contacted the applicant at the telephone number or
  e-mail address provided on the application, the clerk may reject
  the application.  The early voting clerk shall attach to and
  maintain with the original application any records created or
  submitted under this subsection.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.