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(i), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (i) The signature verification committee shall compare the signature on each carrier envelope certificate, except those signed for a voter by a witness, with the signature on the voter's ballot application to determine whether the signatures are those of the voter. The committee shall also compare the signatures with each signature of the voter obtained from the Department of Public Safety and on file with the county clerk or voter registrar. The committee may also compare the signatures with any two or more signatures of the voter made within the preceding six years and on file with the county clerk or voter registrar to determine whether the signatures are those of the voter. Except as provided by Subsection (l), a determination under this subsection that the signatures are not those of the voter must be made by a majority vote of the committee's membership. The committee shall place the jacket envelopes, carrier envelopes, and applications of voters whose signatures are not those of the voter in separate containers from those of voters whose signatures are those of the voter. The committee chair shall deliver the sorted materials to the early voting ballot board at the time specified by the board's presiding judge. SECTION 2. Section 87.041, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows: (e-1) In making the determination under Subsection (b)(2), the board shall also compare the signatures with each signature of the voter obtained from the Department of Public Safety and on file with the county clerk or voter registrar. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.