The bill would amend the Election Code as it relates to identification requirements for early voting by mail. Among other provisions, the bill would add to the requirements that must be met for an early voting ballot to be accepted. Intentionally accepting a ballot for voting or causing a ballot to be accepted for voting that a person knows does not meet those requirements is a Class A misdemeanor.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
According to Williamson County, no fiscal impact is anticipated.
Bexar County anticipates having to replace all the ballot envelope stock they have, which exists in different colors for different elections to help with overlapping elections. Vendors would have to hurry to print the supplies that the county would need to use by the November election.
According to Cameron County, the fiscal impact is not determinable at this time, but there is an anticipated impact if the bill requires a synchronization of voter registration records and Department of Public Safety records. The county currently pays approximately $80,000 per year for their voter registration software and anticipates an annual cost ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to maintain a live synchronization.
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.