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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to accommodating a voter unable to enter a polling place. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Kate Garrison |
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Memorial Act. |
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SECTION 2. Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) An election officer shall designate a parking space at |
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each polling place for voting under this section. The parking space |
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may not be one designated specifically for persons with |
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disabilities. The parking space must be clearly marked with a sign: |
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(1) indicating that the space is reserved for use by a |
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voter who is unable to enter the polling place; and |
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(2) displaying, in large font that is clearly readable |
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from a vehicle, a telephone number that a voter may call or text to |
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request assistance from an election officer at the polling place. |
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(a-2) As an alternative to displaying a telephone number |
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under Subsection (a-1)(2), a parking space may comply with the |
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requirements of this section by providing the voter with a button or |
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intercom that the voter may use to request assistance from an |
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election officer. |
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SECTION 3. Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(e) If the voter is physically unable to enter the early |
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voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of |
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injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting |
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materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb |
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following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |