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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to procedures for early voting by mail. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Election Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 81.006 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 81.006. MODIFICATION OF EARLY VOTING BY MAIL |
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QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. Except as specifically permitted by |
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statute, the qualifications for early voting by mail and procedures |
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for conducting early voting by mail may not be amended or suspended |
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for any reason. |
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SECTION 2. Section 418.016, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
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(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as provided |
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by this subsection, the governor may not suspend a provision of a |
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statute, an order, or a rule under this section if the provision, |
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order, or rule is related to the qualifications or procedures for |
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early voting by mail. Upon declaration of a state of disaster, the |
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governor may suspend Section 86.006(a-1), Election Code, only for |
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the purpose of allowing a voter registered to vote at an address |
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located in a disaster area to deliver a marked ballot voted under |
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Section 86.006(a-1) to the early voting clerk's office on or before |
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election day. |
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SECTION 3. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: |
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(j) The presiding officer of the governing body of a |
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political subdivision may not suspend a provision of a statute, |
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rule, or order under this section if the statute, rule, or order is |
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related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by |
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mail. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |