88R306 MLH-D
 
  By: Cortez H.B. No. 315
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a statement by the secretary of state regarding the
  furnishing of certain personal information on an application for a
  ballot to be voted by mail.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 84.011, Election Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) 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;
               (3-a) a space for entering the information required
  under Section 84.002(a)(1-a); 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, with:
                           (i)  a statement informing the applicant
  that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the
  application; and
                           (ii)  a statement prescribed by the
  secretary of state explaining the benefits of furnishing that
  information, including how that information assists the early
  voting clerk;
                     (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 or involuntary civil commitment
  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) or (7),
  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).
         (c)  The secretary of state shall make the statement
  prescribed by Subsection (a)(4)(C)(ii) available on the
  secretary's Internet website.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.