By: Hayes H.B. No. 4650
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the procedure for duplicating ballots for automatic
  counting.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 87.102, Election Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The authority adopting an electronic voting system in
  which ballots are counted at a central counting station may direct
  by resolution, order, or other official action that the early
  voting regular paper ballots cast in an election be duplicated as
  electronic system ballots for automatic counting at the central
  counting station.
         (b)  Early voting ballots that are to be duplicated under
  this section shall be delivered to the central counting station as
  prescribed by Section 87.101 and shall be treated in the same manner
  as damaged electronic system ballots that are duplicated for
  automatic counting.
         (c)  If an electronic system ballot is damaged to the extent
  it cannot be automatically counted, the ballot may be duplicated so
  it can be automatically counted.
         (d)  A procedure other than duplication may not be used to
  process a ballot subject to this section unless the procedure is
  expressly authorized by the secretary of state.
         (e)  Each duplicate ballot must be clearly labeled
  "Duplicate" and must bear the serial number of the original ballot.
         (f)  The duplicate shall be substituted for the original
  ballot in the ballots prepared for automatic counting. The
  original shall be preserved with the other voted ballots for the
  same period.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.