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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to ballots voted by mail. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 86.016 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.016. SIGNATURE SHEET IN LIEU OF CARRIER ENVELOPE. |
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(a) The official carrier envelope for early voting ballot |
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may be modified to remove the requirements under Section 1.011, |
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86.002(g), 86.013(b)(2), 86.013(b)(3), 86.013(c), 86.013(e), or |
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86.013(f), if the voter is provided a signature sheet that contains |
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those required elements. |
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(b) In order for an early voting mail ballot to be counted, |
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a voter must either include a completed signature sheet in the |
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carrier envelope containing their completed mail ballot or complete |
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the carrier envelope certificate in the manner prescribed by |
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Section 86.013. |
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(c) If the voter provides a signature sheet in lieu of |
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completing the carrier envelope certificate prescribed by Section |
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86.013, the early voting ballot board or signature verification |
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committee, if applicable, may open the sealed carrier envelope to |
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retrieve the voter's signature sheet for review pursuant to |
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Sections 87.027 and 87.041. |
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(d) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and |
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content of the signature sheet and the modified carrier envelope |
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described in Subsection (a). Officially prescribed forms must |
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contain substantially the same content as the carrier envelope as |
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prescribed in Section 86.013. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |