88R12224 MLH-D
 
  By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1946
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to personal information entered on the carrier envelope of
  a ballot to be voted by mail.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 86.002, Election Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d-1) and amending Subsection (g) to read as
  follows:
         (d-1)  The secretary of state shall prescribe instructions
  to be printed on the balloting materials for marking the ballot
  envelope with the information required under Subsection (g).  The
  instructions must:
               (1)  be printed in at least a 10-point font;
               (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (3), not include
  the text "V.U.I.D." or the words "voter registration number"; and
               (3)  contain the statement: "A voter registration
  certificate is not the same thing as an election identification
  certificate.  An election identification certificate is a photo
  identification issued by the Department of Public Safety and
  contains a unique number that is different from the voter
  registration number contained in the voter registration
  certificate.  A voter registration number (V.U.I.D.) does not
  satisfy the requirement to enter the number of an election
  identification certificate and should not be printed on the carrier
  envelope."
         (g)  The carrier envelope must include a space, at least one
  half inch in height and two inches in width, that is hidden from
  view when the envelope is sealed for the voter to enter the
  following information:
               (1)  the number of the voter's driver's license,
  election identification certificate, or personal identification
  card issued by the Department of Public Safety;
               (2)  if the voter has not been issued a number described
  by Subdivision (1), the last four digits of the voter's social
  security number; or
               (3)  a statement by the applicant that the applicant
  has not been issued a number described by Subdivision (1) or (2).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.