| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the use of paper ballots and certain electronic devices |
|
|
in conducting an election. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 63.002(d), Election Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(d) A [The] signature roster [may be] in the form of an |
|
|
electronic device may not be used in an election [approved by the |
|
|
secretary of state that is capable of capturing a voter's signature |
|
|
next to the voter's name on the device. The secretary of state shall |
|
|
adopt rules governing the processing of electronic signatures |
|
|
captured under this subsection]. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 63.003(d), Election Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(d) A [The] poll list [may be] in the form of an electronic |
|
|
device may not be used in an election [approved by the secretary of |
|
|
state. The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing the use |
|
|
of electronic poll lists]. |
|
|
SECTION 3. Section 63.004(e), Election Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(e) A combination form [may be] in the form of an electronic |
|
|
device may not be used in an election [approved by the secretary of |
|
|
state. The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing the |
|
|
minimum requirements and approval of an electronic device used for |
|
|
any form used in connection with the acceptance of voters at a |
|
|
polling place]. |
|
|
SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 125, Election Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 125.0071 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 125.0071. PROVISION OF PAPER BALLOT. An election |
|
|
officer at a polling place where an electronic voting system is used |
|
|
must provide a paper ballot to each voter who requests one. A paper |
|
|
ballot provided under this section must be printed at the time the |
|
|
request is made and, after being voted by the voter, must be scanned |
|
|
at the polling place with an optical scanner. |
|
|
SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 125, Election Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 125.011 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 125.011. USE OF BALLOT MARKING DEVICE. A voting system |
|
|
that consists of a ballot marking device may not be used in an |
|
|
election. |
|
|
SECTION 6. Section 31.014, Election Code, is repealed. |
|
|
SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
|
|
an election held on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
|
|
election held before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
|
|
the law in effect when the election was held, and that law is |
|
|
continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
|
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |