87R11481 MLH-D
 
  By: Noble H.B. No. 4456
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to
  be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail;
  changing the elements of a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  An application must be in writing and signed by the
  applicant using ink on paper.  An electronic signature or
  photocopied signature is not permitted.
         SECTION 2.  Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the
  official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place
  the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal
  the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier
  envelope using ink on paper.  An electronic signature or
  photocopied signature is not permitted.
         SECTION 3.  Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by
  depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or
  contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that
  purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and
  residence address on the reverse side of the envelope.  The person
  must sign the envelope using ink on paper.  An electronic signature
  or photocopied signature is not permitted.
         SECTION 4.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an
  application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by
  mail submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An
  application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by
  mail submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by
  the law in effect when the application or ballot was submitted, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.