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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the signature required on a carrier envelope for a |
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ballot voted by mail. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 86.005, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f) to read as |
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follows: |
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(c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the |
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official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place |
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the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal |
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the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier |
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envelope using ink on paper. Except as provided by Subsection (f), |
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an [An] electronic signature or photocopied signature is not |
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permitted. |
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(f) An electronic signature or photocopied signature is |
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permitted to the extent necessary to reasonably accommodate an |
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individual who is unable to sign by hand. |
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SECTION 2. Section 86.0051, Election Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by |
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depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or |
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contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that |
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purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and |
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residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person |
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must sign the envelope using ink on paper. Except as provided by |
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Subsection (g), an [An] electronic signature or photocopied |
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signature is not permitted. |
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(g) An electronic signature or photocopied signature is |
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permitted to the extent necessary to reasonably accommodate an |
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individual who is unable to sign by hand. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |