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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a person submitting proof of citizenship to verify |
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eligibility to vote in Texas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as |
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follows: |
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(a) A person desiring to register to vote must submit an |
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application and proof of citizenship as required under Subsection |
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(a-1) to the registrar of the county in which the person |
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resides. Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must |
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be submitted by personal delivery, by mail, or by telephonic |
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facsimile machine in accordance with Sections 13.143(d) and (d-2). |
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(a-1) To the extent permitted by the National Voter |
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Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) and |
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Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council Of Arizona, Inc., 570 U.S. 1 (2013), |
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the secretary of state shall prescribe rules that require a person |
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to submit to the registrar proof of citizenship to determine voter |
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eligibility. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the |
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secretary of state shall request that the federal Election |
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Assistance Commission alter the mail voter registration |
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application form requirements described in the National Voter |
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Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.) to |
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include a requirement that applicants submit documented proof of |
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citizenship as a condition to registration in Texas. |
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(b) If the commission fails to comply before the 180th day |
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following the secretary of state's request under this section, the |
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attorney general shall seek enforcement in a court of law. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |