TITLE: Relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted by mail.

SUMMARY: Relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted by mail.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to signature verification on an early voting ballot voted by mail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 87.027, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i-1) to read as follows: (i-1) In making the determination under Subsection (i), the Signature Verification committee may only determine whether the handwriting on the certificate and application indicates that the same person executed both signatures. The committee may not determine that two signatures were not executed by the same person on the basis of which version of the same name the person used, including: (1) the inclusion of a middle name or initial in one signature that is omitted in the other; (2) the use of a common nickname in one signature and a formal name in the other; or (3) a variation between the two signatures of the order of the person's first, middle, and last name. SECTION 2. Section 87.041, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows: (h) In making the determination under Subsection (b)(2), the board may only determine whether the handwriting on the certificate and application indicates that the same person executed both signatures. The board may not determine that two signatures were not executed by the same person on the basis of which version of the same name the person used, including: (1) the inclusion of a middle name or initial in one signature that is omitted in the other; (2) the use of a common nickname in one signature and a formal name in the other; or (3) a variation between the two signatures of the order of the person's first, middle, and last name. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.