TITLE: Relating to procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail.

SUMMARY: Relating to procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 81, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 81.006 to read as follows: Sec. 81.006. MODIFICATION OF EARLY VOTING BY MAIL OR VOTING BY MAIL QUALIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES. Except as specifically permitted by statute, the qualifications and procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail may not be amended or suspended for any reason. SECTION 2. Section 418.016, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: (i) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as provided by this subsection, the governor may not suspend a provision of a statute, order, or rule under this section if the provision, order, or rule is related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail. On declaration of a state of disaster, the governor may suspend Section 86.006(a-1), Election Code, only for the purpose of allowing a voter registered to vote at an address located in a disaster area to deliver a marked ballot to the early voting clerk's office on or before election day. SECTION 3. Section 418.108, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: (j) The presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision may not suspend a provision of a statute, order, or rule under this section if the provision, order, or rule is related to the qualifications or procedures for early voting by mail or voting by mail. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.