By: Campbell, et al. S.B. No. 1675

(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2021; March 24, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; April 15, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 15, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1675 By: Birdwell

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to procedures for early voting by mail.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 81.006 to read as follows:

Sec. 81.006. MODIFICATION OF EARLY VOTING BY MAIL QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. Except as specifically permitted by statute, the qualifications for early voting by mail and procedures for conducting early voting by mail may not be amended or suspended for any reason.

SECTION 2. Section 418.016, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:

(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as provided by this subsection, the governor may not suspend a provision of a statute, an order, or a rule under this section if the provision, order, or rule is related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by mail. Upon declaration of a state of disaster, the governor may suspend Section 86.006(a-1), Election Code, only for the purpose of allowing a voter registered to vote at an address located in a disaster area to deliver a marked ballot voted under Section 86.006(a-1) to the early voting clerk's office on or before election day.

SECTION 3. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:

(j) The presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision may not suspend a provision of a statute, rule, or order under this section if the statute, rule, or order is related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by mail.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

* * * * *