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AN ACT
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relating to the signature required on a carrier envelope for a |
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ballot voted by mail; changing the elements of a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the |
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official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place |
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the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal |
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the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier |
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envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature or |
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photocopied signature is not permitted. |
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SECTION 2. Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by |
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depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or |
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contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that |
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purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and |
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residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person |
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must sign the envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature |
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or photocopied signature is not permitted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1299 was passed by the House on May |
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12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 91, Nays 48, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1299 was passed by the Senate on May |
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22, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |