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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to |
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register to vote. |
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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 resides. |
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Except as provided by Subsection (e), an application must be |
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submitted by personal delivery, by mail, or by telephonic facsimile |
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machine in accordance with Sections 13.143(d) and (d-2). |
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(a-1) A person desiring to register to vote shall submit to |
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the registrar a copy of one of the following documents: |
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(1) a United States passport or passport card issued |
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to the person; |
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(2) a certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a |
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United States state or territory, or the District of Columbia; |
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(3) United States citizenship papers issued to the |
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person; |
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(4) identification issued by the agency of the United |
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States responsible for citizenship and immigration; or |
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(5) for citizens born abroad, a certificate of report |
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of birth or consular report of birth abroad issued by the United |
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States Department of State. |
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SECTION 2. Section 13.039(a), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) On receipt of a registration application, a volunteer |
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deputy registrar shall review it for completeness in the |
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applicant's presence and verify the applicant's citizenship using |
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the proof of citizenship required by Section 13.002(a-1). |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026, but only |
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if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2025, to require a person to submit proof of |
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citizenship to register to vote is approved by the voters. If that |
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amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect. |