TITLE: Relating to the electronic submission and recording of documents associated with voting by mail.

SUMMARY: Relating to the electronic submission and recording of documents associated with voting by mail.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the electronic submission and recording of documents associated with voting by mail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 84.007(b), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) An application must be submitted to the early voting clerk by: (1) mail; (2) common or contract carrier; or (3) a means of sending an electronic copy prescribed by the secretary of state [telephonic facsimile machine, if the applicant is absent from the county and if a machine is available in the clerk's office].SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 87, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 87.0211 to read as follows: Sec. 87.0211. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF MATERIALS RECORDED ELECTRONICALLY. If ballot materials and ballot applications are recorded electronically as provided by Section 87.126, the early voting clerk may deliver those materials to the early voting ballot board through electronic means. SECTION 3. Section 87.027, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (m) to read as follows: (m) If ballot materials or ballot applications are recorded electronically as provided by Section 87.126, the signature verification committee may use an electronic copy of a carrier envelope certificate or the voter's ballot application in making the comparison under Subsection (i). SECTION 4. Subchapter G, Chapter 87, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 87.126 to read as follows: Sec. 87.126. ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF BALLOT MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS. (a) The early voting clerk may electronically record applications for a ballot to be voted by mail, jacket envelopes, carrier envelopes, and ballots. (b) The secretary of state may adopt rules providing requirements for the electronic image quality and storage of the electronic images of the documents described by Subsection (a). SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.