87R2316 SGM-D
 
  By: Fierro H.B. No. 46
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of e-mail on a vote by mail application.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 84.011(a), Election Code, 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 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), 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 Subsections (f) and (f-1) to read as follows:
         (f)  The early voting clerk, before rejecting an
  application, shall make a reasonable effort to contact the
  applicant by e-mail at any e-mail address provided on the
  application, to ask questions about the application.  The applicant
  may make clerical corrections to the application by e-mail,
  including correcting the applicant's date of birth, correcting
  spelling of the applicant's name, or providing additional
  information to make corrections to an address or county of
  residence.  If an applicant has submitted an address that is not an
  acceptable mailing address, the applicant may submit to the early
  voting clerk a mailing address by e-mail.  If the early voting clerk
  does not receive a response before the fourth day after the date the
  clerk sent an e-mail to the 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 submissions and corrections provided by e-mail under
  this subsection.
         (f-1)  An applicant may not change the address or county of
  residence submitted on the original application to a different
  address or county of residence by e-mail.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.