TITLE: Relating to the procedure for early voting.

SUMMARY: Relating to the procedure for early voting.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the procedure for early voting. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 61.002(c), Election Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) Immediately after closing the polls for voting on election day and on the last day of early voting by personal appearance,the presiding election judge or alternate election judge shall print the tape to show the number of votes cast for each candidate or ballot measure for each voting machine. SECTION 2. Sections 85.001(a) and (c), Election Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) The period for early voting by personal appearance begins on the eighth [17th] day before election day and continues through the [fourth] day before election day, except as otherwise provided by this section. (c) If the date prescribed by Subsection (a) [or (b)] for beginning the period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state holiday, the early voting period begins on the next regular business day. SECTION 3. Section 85.033, Election Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 85.033. SECURITY OF VOTING MACHINE. (a) At the close of early voting each day, the early voting clerk shall secure each voting machine used for early voting in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state so that its unauthorized operation is prevented. The clerk shall unsecure the machine before the beginning of early voting the following day. (b) To the extent possible, closing and securing of voting machines shall be done in the same manner as required by provisions of this code pertaining to election day. SECTION 4. Sections 85.001(b) and (e), Election Code, are repealed. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.