TITLE: Relating to the deadline for submitting an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.

SUMMARY: Relating to the deadline for submitting an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the deadline for submitting an application for a ballot to be voted by mail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 84.007(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) Except as provided by Section 86.0015(b), an application may be submitted at any time in the year of the election for which a ballot is requested, but not later than 5 p.m. [the close of regular business in the early voting clerk's office or 12 noon, whichever is later] on the 11th day before election day unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, in which case the last day is the first preceding regular business day. For purposes of this subsection, an application for a ballot to be voted by mail deposited in a post office box before the post office box is last inspected for removal of mail on the next business day after the day described above is considered timely submitted. SECTION 2. Section 84.008(a), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) An applicant for a ballot to be voted by mail may submit the application by delivering it in person to the early voting clerk if the application is submitted not later than 5 p.m. on the 11th day before election day unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, in which case the last day is the first preceding regular business day [the close of regular business in the clerk's office on the day before the first day of the period for early voting by personal appearance].SECTION 3. Section 86.0015(b-1), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (b-1) An application submitted under this section must be submitted before 5 p.m. [the close of regular business in the early voting clerk's office or 12 noon, whichever is later] on the 11th day before election day unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, in which case the last day is the first preceding regular business day. For purposes of this subsection, an application for a ballot to be voted by mail deposited in a post office box before the post office box is last inspected for removal of mail on the next business day after the day described above is considered timely submitted. SECTION 4. 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.