Source: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/sos/EMERGENCY/1.ADMINISTRATION.html
Timestamp: 2014-04-24 15:43:51
Document Index: 637154608

Matched Legal Cases: ['§81', '§81', '§2001', '§2001', '§2001', '§65', '§63', '§81', '§63', '§15', '§63', '§81', '§81', '§2001', '§2001', '§2001', '§81', '§81', '§81', '§81', '§81', '§81', '§81', '§63', '§13', '§63', '§63', '§63', '§63', '§81', '§123', '§81', '§63', '§31', '§63', '§62', '§81', '§81', '§127', '§127', '§81', '§65', '§63', '§13', '§65', '§1', '§13', '§65', '§65', '§13', '§65', '§15', '§65', '§65', '§81', '§65', '§63', '§13', '§33']

Emergency Rules Title 1
TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION
1 TAC §81.71
The Texas Office of the Secretary of State adopts,
on an emergency basis, amendments to §81.71 concerning substantially
similar name standards and identity verification. The amendments are
being adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034 of
the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency
rule if it finds that imminent peril to the public health, safety,
or welfare requires adoption of a rule on fewer than 30 days' notice. The Office of the Secretary of State made the finding that the
amendments to this section should be adopted on an emergency basis,
pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government Code, because Senate
Bill 14 of the 82nd Texas Legislature became effective on June 25,
2013 through a decision by the United States Supreme Court. The newly
effective statute required numerous changes in election procedures
to be made in an expedited manner. The statute will affect the statewide
election occurring on November 5, 2013. In order to allow implementation
of this rule prior to the uniform election date, amendments to this
section must be adopted on less than 30 days' notice pursuant to §2001.034
of the Government Code. However, these amendments will also be published
for notice and comment in concurrence with these emergency amendments. The intent of the amendments is to incorporate provisions enacted
by Senate Bill 14, 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session. Language
has been added to provide additional guidance to election officials
and voters. In particular, an additional procedure is provided for
voters seeking to show acceptable identification within the time period
prescribed by Election Code, §65.0541. The effective date of
these rules will be October 18, 2013.
The amendments are adopted on an emergency basis under
the Texas Election Code, Chapter 63, §63.001(c), which provides
the Secretary of State with the authority to adopt rules to administer
the section. No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by this emergency
§81.71.Substantially Similar Name Standards and Identity Verification.
(a) When a voter offers to vote at a polling place
using a form of identification described by §63.0101 of the Texas
Election Code ("presented ID document") and the voter's name on the
presented ID document does not match exactly the voter's name as it
appears on the official list of registered voters, the voter's name
on the presented ID document must be "substantially similar" to the
voter's name as it appears on the official list of registered voters.
(b) In determining whether a voter's name on the presented
ID document is substantially similar to the voter's name as it appears
on the official list of registered voters, the reviewing early voting
clerk, deputy early voting clerk, election judge or election clerk
(collectively included in the term "election worker") shall refer
to the standards in subsection (c) of this section. (c) A voter's name on the presented ID document is
considered substantially similar to the name on the official list
of registered voters and a voter's name on the official list of registered
voters is considered substantially similar to the name on the presented
ID document if one or more of the circumstances in paragraphs (1)
- (4) of this subsection are present. In determining whether one or
more of those circumstances are present, election workers should consider
whether information on the presented ID document matches elements
of the voter's information on the official list of registered voters
such as the voter's residence address or date of birth, which may
be strong indicators that the name on the presented ID document is
substantially similar to the name on the official list of registered
voters and vice versa if: (1) The name on the presented ID document is slightly
different from one or more of the name fields on the official list
of registered voters or one or more of the name fields on the official
list of registered voters is slightly different from the name on the
presented ID document; (2) The name on the presented ID document or on the
official list of registered voters is a customary variation of the
formal name such as, for illustrative purposes only, Bill for William,
or Beto for Alberto, that is on the document or list that must match,
as the case may be; (3) The voter's name on the presented ID document contains
an initial, a middle name, or a former name that is not on the official
list of registered voters or the official list of registered voters
contains an initial, a middle name, or a former name that is not on
the presented ID document; or (4) A first name, middle name, former name, or initial
of the voter's name that occupies a different field on the presented
ID document than a first name, middle name, former name, or initial
of the voter's name on the official list of registered voters. (d) If the reviewing election worker makes a determination
that the voter's name on the presented ID document and the official
list of registered voters are substantially similar, the voter shall
be accepted for voting if the voter accepts [submits]
the "Similar Name Affidavit" prescribed by the Secretary of State
stating that the voter offering the presented ID document is the same
person on the official list of registered voters. (e) After the determination is complete, the presented
ID document must be returned to the voter immediately. (f) The completed Similar Name Affidavit, included
in the signature roster or combination form, shall be placed
in Envelope No. 4 (or other designated container) to be delivered
to the county voter registrar [to address any necessary changes
to the official list of registered voters in accordance with the correction
process prescribed in §15.021 of the Texas Election Code].
(g) If the reviewing election worker makes a determination
that the voter's names on the presented ID document and the official
list of registered voters are not substantially similar, the voter
shall be offered a provisional ballot. The voter shall be processed
as a provisional voter in accordance with the provisional voter process
established under Texas law, at the time of voting. (h) If the voter casts a provisional ballot due to
a determination by the election worker that the name on the presented
ID document was not substantially similar to the name on the official
list of registered voters, the voter is eligible to submit a form
of identification described by §63.0101 of the Texas Election
Code, including the presented ID document that the voter presented
at the polling place, in person to the voter registrar's office within
six days of election day pursuant to Texas law. The voter shall be
informed of this procedure at the time the voter casts his or her
provisional ballot. (i) In addition to the procedure described
under subsection (h) of this section, if the voter casts a provisional
ballot due to a determination by the election worker that the name
on the presented ID document was not substantially similar to the
name on the official list of registered voters, or the voter's identity
cannot be verified from the provided identification, the voter is
eligible to submit official documentation to the voter registrar to
verify their identity. Official documentation includes: (1) a marriage license; (2) a court order reflecting change of name; (3) a letter from licensed physician; (4) affidavit stating that the person is the same person
named on the identification provided; or
(5) other official documentation verifying the voter's identity.
(j) [(i)] In determining whether
an ID document presented to the voter registrar under subsection (h)
of this section is substantially similar to the voter's name on the
official list of registered voters, the voter registrar shall utilize
the processes outlined in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
This agency hereby certifies that the emergency adoption
has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on September 30, 2013.
TRD-201304310
SUBCHAPTER I. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002
The Texas Office of the Secretary of State adopts, on an emergency
basis, the repeal of §§81.172 - 81.174 and 81.176 and new §§81.172
- 81.176 concerning provisional voting procedures. The repeals and
new rules are being adopted on an emergency basis pursuant to §2001.034
of the Government Code, which allows a state agency to adopt an emergency
or welfare requires adoption of a rule on fewer than 30 days' notice. The Office of the Secretary of State made the finding that these
repeals and new rules should be adopted on an emergency basis, pursuant
to §2001.034 of the Government Code, because Senate Bill 14 of
the 82nd Texas Legislature became effective on June 25, 2013 through
a decision by the United States Supreme Court. The newly effective
statute required numerous changes in election procedures to be made
in an expedited manner. The statute will affect the statewide election
occurring on November 5, 2013. In order to allow implementation of
these rules prior to the uniform election date, they must be adopted
on less than 30 days' notice pursuant to §2001.034 of the Government
Code. However, the repeals and new rules will also be published for
notice and comment in concurrence with this emergency rulemaking. The intent of the emergency repeals and new rules is to incorporate
provisions enacted by Senate Bill 14, 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular
Session. Language has been added to provide additional guidance to
election officials and voters. In particular, procedures are provided
for provisional voting. The effective date of these emergency repeals
and new rules will be October 18, 2013. 1 TAC §§81.172 - 81.174, 81.176
(Editor's note: The text of the following sections adopted
for repeal on an emergency basis will not be published. The sections
may be examined in the Texas Register office, James Earl Rudder Building,
1019 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas.)
The repeals are adopted on an emergency basis
under the Texas Election Code, which provides the Secretary of State
with the authority to adopt rules to administer the section. No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by this proposal.
§81.172.Provisional Voting Procedures: Paper Ballot. §81.173.Provisional Voting Procedures for Electronic Voting System: Optical Scan Precinct Ballot Counters. §81.174.Provisional Voting Procedures for Optical Scan Voting System Ballots Tabulated at a Central Counting Station. §81.176.Provisional Voting on Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems. This agency hereby certifies that the emergency
adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within
the agency's legal authority to adopt.
TRD-201304311
1 TAC §§81.172 - 81.176
The new sections are adopted on an emergency basis
with the authority to adopt rules to administer the section. No other statutes, articles or codes are affected by this emergency
rulemaking. §81.172.Eligibility to Vote a Provisional Ballot at the Early Voting or the Election Day Polling Place. (a) At all elections, the following individuals shall
be eligible to cast a provisional ballot. (1) A voter who does not provide an acceptable form
Code (the "Code"), regardless of whether the voter presents a valid
voter registration certificate. (2) A voter whose name on the acceptable form of identification
is determined by the polling place official to not exactly match or
be substantially similar to the name as it appears on the official
list of registered voters. (3) A voter whose identity cannot be verified by the
identification presented by the voter, as determined by the polling
place official per §63.001(d) of the Code. (4) A voter who has received a disability exemption
under §13.002(i) of the Code, but does not have or otherwise
fails to present the voter's voter registration certificate indicating
such exemption. (5) A voter who claims to be properly registered and
eligible to vote at the election precinct where the voter presents
himself or herself to vote, but the voter's name does not appear on
the precinct list of registered voters and the voter does not present
a voter registration certificate indicating that the voter is currently
registered as described in §63.006 of the Code. (6) A voter who has applied for a ballot by mail, but
has not yet properly cancelled the mail ballot application. (7) A voter who votes during the polling hours that
are extended by a state or federal court as described in §63.011(e)
of the Code. (8) A voter who is registered to vote but attempting
to vote in a precinct other than the one in which the voter is registered.
(9) A voter who is on the election precinct list of
registered voters, but whose registered residence address is outside
the political subdivision in which the voter is presenting himself
or herself to vote. (b) A voter is not required to vote provisionally and
may vote a regular ballot if the voter's name does not appear on the
precinct list of registered voters, but the voter presents an acceptable
form of identification described by §63.0101 of the Code and,
in accordance with §63.006 of the Code: (1) presents a current registration certificate indicating
the voter is registered in the precinct; or (2) presents a current registration certificate indicating
the voter is a resident of a precinct other than the one in which
the voter is offering to vote and completes an affidavit stating the
voter is: (A) a resident of the precinct in which the voter is
offering to vote or otherwise entitled by law to vote in the precinct;
(B) was a resident of the precinct in which the voter
is offering to vote at the time the information on the voter's residence
address was last offered to the voter registrar; (C) did not deliberately provide false information
to secure registration in a precinct in which the voter does not reside; and (D) is voting only once in the election. (c) A person voting by mail may not vote a provisional ballot.
§81.173.Provisional Voting Procedures at the Polling Place.
(a) Polling Place Preparation. (1) The election judge shall set aside a sufficient
number of regular ballots from the supply of official ballots and
write or stamp "provisional" on the back of the ballot (referred to
as "provisional ballots"). (2) The election judge shall keep the provisional ballots
separate from the regular ballots. (3) Provisional ballots may be cast electronically
on a Direct Record Electronic (DRE) voting system if: (A) the system is one approved by the Secretary of
State under Chapter 122 of the Code; (B) the system is adopted by the governing body of
the political subdivision under §123.001 of the Code; (C) the system segregates provisional votes from regularly-cast
votes on the precinct returns; and (D) the system provides a method for the cast provisional
ballots to be accepted and added to the election results by the Early
Voting Ballot Board or central counting station personnel, as applicable.
(4) The election judge shall prepare the DRE voting
system for provisional voting in accordance with instructions provided
by the general custodian of election records, which may include the
instructions of the vendor of the system. (b) Polling Place Procedures for Provisional Voting.
(1) If a voter is eligible to cast a provisional ballot
under the provisions set forth in §81.172(a) of this subchapter
(relating to Eligibility to Vote a Provisional Ballot at the Early
Voting or the Election Day Polling Place) and §63.011 of the
Code, the election judge shall immediately inform the voter of this right. (2) If the provisional voter has no acceptable form
of identification, the voter may still be permitted to vote a provisional
ballot, but will be advised by the election judge that in order to
have the provisional ballot accepted, no later than the sixth calendar
day after the election date, the voter must: (A) present an acceptable form of identification to the voter registrar; (B) execute an affidavit for a temporary exemption
in the presence of the voter registrar; or (C) submit a complete application for a permanent disability
exemption to the voter registrar in person or through acceptable means
of transmission under the Code. (3) The election judge shall advise the provisional
voter that in order to have the voter's provisional ballot accepted,
the provisional voter must be voting in the election precinct to which
the voter is assigned. (4) If the voter is not on the precinct list of registered
voters, the election judge may assist the voter in determining the
voter's correct precinct. (5) The election judge must inform the voter that in
order to vote a provisional ballot, a provisional voter must complete
and sign the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope. The Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope, a form prescribed by the Secretary of State
in accordance with §31.002 and §63.011 of the Code, shall
include the following: (A) A statement that the provisional voter is a registered
voter in the election precinct in which the voter seeks to vote and
that the voter is eligible to vote in the election; and (B) A space for disclosure of any information necessary
to enable the person to register to vote under Chapter 13 of the Code
if the voter proves to be unregistered. (6) The election judge shall complete the appropriate
judge's portion of the reverse side of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope. (7) The election judge shall check the appropriate
box, "yes" or "no," as to whether the voter presented an acceptable
form of identification. (8) The election judge shall check the reason for which
the voter voted provisionally on the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelope. The reasons include: (A) Failed to present acceptable form of identification
or voter certificate with exemption; (B) Voter not on list of registered voters; (C) Voter not on list, registered in another precinct;
(D) Voter on list of people who voted early by mail,
and voter has not cancelled mail ballot application; (E) Voting after 7:00 p.m. due to court order; (F) Voter on list, but registered residence address
outside the ___________political subdivision; or (G) Other _________________ (Please explain). (9) The election judge shall then sign the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope. (10) After the provisional voter and the election judge
complete the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope, the election judge
shall enter the provisional voter's name on the Early Voting List
of Provisional Voters form or the List of Provisional Voters form,
as applicable, prescribed by the Secretary of State. (11) The election judge shall add the name of the provisional
voter to the poll list or combination form and mark the voter as "Provisional."
(12) The provisional voter shall sign the regular signature
roster or combination form in the appropriate place. (13) The election judge shall inform the provisional
voter that the voter will receive notice in the mail about whether
the voter's provisional ballot was counted and shall immediately provide
to the provisional voter a Notice to Provisional Voter that may inform
the voter of this fact in writing along with information explaining
that the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope will be used by the
voter registrar to register the voter or update the voter's registration,
as applicable. (14) The Notice to Provisional Voter form is prescribed
by the Secretary of State and contains the following: (A) The list of acceptable forms of identification,
as well as the available exemptions; (B) The procedure for presenting identification to
the voter registrar, executing an affidavit for a temporary exemption
in the presence of the voter registrar, and applying for a permanent
disability exemption, not later than the sixth day after the election date; (C) A map showing the location of the voter registrar
(attached by administrator of election); (D) Notice that if all procedures are followed and
the provisional voter is found to be eligible to vote and is voting
in the correct election precinct, the voter's provisional ballot will
be accepted by the Early Voting Ballot Board after the election; and
(E) A place for the election official to enter the
voter's name, voter unique identifier (VUID) number (if available),
and the precinct polling place at which the provisional ballot was voted. (15) If provisional voting is being conducted with
paper or optical scan ballots, the election judge and provisional
voter must adhere to the following steps. (A) The election judge shall direct the provisional
voter to choose a ballot from a disarranged (random numerical order)
supply of pre-designated "provisional" ballots that are separate from
regular ballots, in accordance with §62.009 of the Code. (B) After marking the provisional ballot, the voter
must place the ballot in the provided secrecy envelope, and then place
the secrecy envelope (with ballot inside) inside the Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelope. The Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope must be sealed. (C) The provisional voter must deposit the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope in the secure container for completed Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes provided at the polling place. (16) If provisional voting is being conducted on DRE
voting machines, the election judge shall prepare the DRE voting machine
for provisional voting in accordance with instructions provided by
the general custodian of election records, which may include the instructions
of the vendor of the system. After the provisional voter completes
the voting process, the completed Provisional Ballot Affidavit will
be deposited in the secure container for completed Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelopes provided at the polling place. (c) Early Voting by Personal Appearance Provisional Ballot Procedures. (1) To the extent practicable, the early voting clerk
or deputy early voting clerk shall follow election day provisional
ballot procedures during the early voting period. (2) The provisional voter's precinct number shall be
added to the Early Voting List of Provisional Voters. (3) The early voting clerk may deliver the provisional
ballot envelopes cast during early voting to the voter registrar.
The voter registrar shall sign the List of Early Voting Provisional
Voters to verify receipt of the provisional ballot envelopes. (4) The voter registrar shall review the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes as set out in §81.175 of this subchapter
(relating to Voter Registrar Review of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes).
§81.174.Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope Transfer Procedures.
(a) Transfer of Early Voting Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes during Early Voting Period. (1) During the early-voting-by-personal-appearance
period, upon the request of the voter registrar, the general custodian
of election records may request that the early voting clerk, as well
as the deputy early voting clerk at branch locations, deliver to the
general custodian of election records the early voting Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes. (2) In an election where the early voting clerk is
not designated as the general custodian of election records, the general
custodian of election records may permit the early voting clerk to
deliver the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes. (3) The delivery must occur at a place designated by
the general custodian of election records. (4) The Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes must
be stored and transferred in a closed and sealed transfer case provided
by the general custodian of election records. (5) The early voting clerk and the deputy early voting
clerk shall accompany such delivery with the Early Voting List of
Provisional Voters specific to such Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes.
(6) The general custodian of election records shall
unseal and open the transfer case and verify that the number of provisional
voters on the Early Voting List of Provisional Voters matches the
number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes contained in the
transfer case. (7) The general custodian of election records shall
sign the Early Voting List of Provisional Voters evidencing the number
of provisional voters per precinct and the number of Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelopes to be forwarded to the voter registrar. (8) The general custodian of election records shall
prepare a Summary of Provisional Ballots listing each precinct and
the number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes for each precinct.
(9) The custodian shall place the following items in a transfer case: (A) the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes; (B) the Early Voting List of Provisional Voters; (C) blank Verification of Provisional Ballots and Serial Numbers forms; and (D) seals sufficient to secure the transfer case(s)
when the voter registrar returns the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes to the custodian. (10) The custodian shall seal the transfer case. The
seal number shall be placed on the Summary of Provisional Ballots.
(11) If the general custodian of election records does
not request delivery of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
during the early voting period, the early voting clerk and the deputy
early voting clerk shall deliver the closed and sealed container for
completed Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes and the Early Voting
List of Provisional Voters to the custodian upon completion of the
early-voting-by-personal-appearance period. Upon delivery, the general
custodian shall complete steps outlined in paragraphs (6) - (10) of
this subsection. (b) Transfer to Voter Registrar of Early Voting Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes. (1) The general custodian of election records shall
post a Notice of Delivery of the early voting Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes at least 24 hours before the first such delivery to the
voter registrar. (2) If the voter registrar requests delivery of the
Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes during the early voting period,
the custodian may deliver, at one or more times during regular business
hours, the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes cast during early
voting to the voter registrar in a closed and sealed transfer case
accompanied by the Summary of Provisional Ballots, after following
the procedures set forth in subsection (a)(5) - (10) of this section.
(3) If the voter registrar does not request delivery
of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes during the early voting
period, the custodian shall deliver the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes cast during early voting to the voter registrar in a closed
and sealed transfer case no later than the first business day after
the completion of early voting and after following the procedures
set forth in subsection (a)(5) - (10) of this section. (4) The voter registrar shall sign the Early Voting
List of Provisional Voters, the Summary of Provisional Ballots, and
the Verification of Provisional Ballots and Serial Numbers to verify
receipt of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes. (c) Transfer of Election Day Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes to General Custodian of Election Records. (1) After the election day polls have closed, the election
judge shall enter the number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
cast on the Register of Official Ballots and on the List of Provisional Voters. (2) The election judge shall place a copy of the List
of Provisional Voters form inside Envelope No. 2. (3) In an election in which a precinct tabulator is
utilized, any ballots stamped "provisional" that are not contained
in a Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope may not be counted and
are not transferred to the voter registrar. The ballots shall be treated
as irregularly marked ballots under the procedure set out in §127.157
of the Texas Election Code. (4) The closed and sealed container for completed Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes shall be delivered by the election judge
or the judge's designee to the general custodian of election records.
(5) The general custodian of election records shall
unseal and open the secure container with the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes. (6) The general custodian of election records or central
counting station personnel, if applicable under §127.157 of the
Code, shall verify that the number of Provisional Voters on the List
of Provisional Voters matches the number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes recorded on the ballot register. (7) The general custodian of election records shall
sign the List of Provisional Voters evidencing the number of provisional
voters per precinct and the number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes to be forwarded to the voter registrar. (8) The general custodian of election records shall
the number of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes received by that precinct. (9) The general custodian of election records shall
place the following items in a closed transfer case: (A) the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes; (B) the corresponding List of Provisional Voters; and
(C) blank Verification of Provisional Ballots and Serial
Numbers forms, and seals sufficient to secure the transfer case(s)
Envelopes to the custodian. (10) The general custodian of election records shall
seal each transfer case that contains Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes and their corresponding List of Provisional Voters prior
to delivery to the voter registrar. The numbers on the seal shall
be recorded on the Summary of Provisional Ballots. (11) A poll watcher, if available, may sign the Summary of Provisional Ballots. (d) Transfer to Voter Registrar of Election Day Provisional
deliver the transfer case(s) containing the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes and the List of Provisional Voters for each precinct, along
with the Summary of Provisional Ballots, on the next business day
after the election. (2) The general custodian of election records must
also include with the delivery blank Verification of Provisional Ballots
and Serial Numbers forms and seals sufficient to secure the transfer
case(s) for when the voter registrar returns the Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelopes to the custodian after the voter registrar's review.
(3) If the voter registrar wishes to take possession
of the transfer case(s) containing the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes from the general custodian of election records on election
night, the voter registrar must inform the custodian and post a Notice
of Delivery of Provisional Ballots no later than 24 hours before election
day. If the voter registrar makes this determination, the voter registrar
must go to the custodian's office and take possession on election night. (4) Upon receipt of the transfer case(s) containing
the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes, the voter registrar shall
sign the Summary of Provisional Ballots and the Verification of Provisional
Ballots and Serial Numbers to verify such receipt, that the box was
intact, and that the seal was not broken. (5) The voter registrar shall break the seal of the
transfer case(s) containing the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
and remove the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes in order to
begin the voter registrar's review.
§81.175.Voter Registrar Review of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes.
(a) Deadline to Complete Review. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,
the voter registrar shall complete the review of the Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelopes no later than the sixth calendar day after election day. (2) For an election held on the date of the general
election for state and county officers, the voter registrar shall
complete the review of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
no later than the seventh calendar day after election day. (b) Post-Election Submission of Identification to Voter
Registrar under §65.0541 of the Code. (1) A voter who cast a provisional ballot due to the
voter's failure to submit an acceptable form of identification at
the polling place may correct the problem by: (A) presenting an acceptable form of identification
as set forth in §63.0101 of the Code to the voter registrar;
(B) applying for and receiving a disability exemption
under §13.002(i) of the Code; or (C) completing one of the affidavits set out in §65.054(b)(2)(B)
(religious objection) or (C) (natural disaster) of the Code in the
presence of the registrar not later than the sixth day after the date
of the election. (2) If the sixth day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
legal state or national holiday, the deadline is extended to the next
business day in accordance with §1.006 of the Code. (3) At a minimum, the voter registrar's office shall
remain open and available for provisional voters to present an acceptable
form of identification to the registrar or apply for an exemption
under this rule during regular business hours on regular business days. (4) After the provisional voter submits an acceptable
form of identification, applies for the disability exemption under §13.002(i)
of the Code, or completes one of the affidavits set out in §65.054(b)(2)(B)
presence of the voter registrar, the voter registrar shall review
the form of identification or exemption request and follow the applicable procedure.
(A) For voters presenting one of the seven forms of
acceptable identification, the photo identification must meet the
same standards as required on election day. Therefore, the voter registrar must: (i) Review the photo identification's expiration date
(if applicable), and ensure that it is valid and has not expired earlier
than 60 days before the date of presentation; (ii) Determine if the provisional voter's name, as
listed on the acceptable form of identification, is identical to or
substantially similar to the provisional voter's name as it appears
on the official list of registered voters; and (iii) Verify the voter's identity through the acceptable
identification provided. (B) The disability exemption form prescribed by the
Secretary of State must be completed and signed by the provisional
voter and must be accompanied by written documentation from the United
States Social Security Administration evidencing that the provisional
voter has been determined to have a disability, or from the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing that the provisional
voter has at least a 50 percent disability rating. The documentation
must be maintained by the voter registrar with other records pertaining
to the provisional voter's voter registration. (C) A request for a temporary exemption under §65.054(b)(2)(B)
(religious objection) or (C) (natural disaster) of the Code need not
be accompanied by any supporting documentation other than the affidavit,
and the voter registrar will rely on the sworn statement of the provisional
voter on the affidavit to support the truth of the statements therein.
(5) The voter registrar will enter the provisional
voter's information on the Provisional Voters Appearing to Voter Registrar
During Cure Period form. (6) The provisional voter will sign the Provisional
Voters Appearing to Voter Registrar During Cure Period form. (7) If the voter's name on the acceptable form of identification
does not exactly match, but is substantially similar to the name as
it appears on the official list of registered voters, the voter must
complete the similar name affidavit located on the Provisional Voters
Appearing to Voter Registrar During Cure Period form. (8) If the voter registrar has possession of the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes, the voter registrar shall mark the voter's
Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope to reflect that the voter: (A) presented an acceptable form of identification; or (B) applied for and received the disability exemption
under §13.002(i) of the Code, with documentation evidencing receipt
of the exemption; or (C) completed one of the affidavits set out in §65.054(b)(2)(B)
presence of the voter registrar; or (D) failed to satisfy the identification or affidavit requirements. (9) If the provisional voter submitted an application
for the disability exemption, the voter registrar shall attach the
completed application to the provisional voter's original voter registration
application and issue the voter a new certificate containing the indication
required under §15.001(c) of the Code. (10) If the provisional voter submitted an application
for one of the temporary exemptions under §65.054(b)(2)(B) (religious
objection) or (C) (natural disaster) of the Code, the voter registrar
will attach the temporary exemption affidavit to the voter's Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope. (11) Poll watchers are not entitled to be present during
the voter registrar's review. (c) Review of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
by Voter Registrar. (1) The voter registrar shall review information from
the following sources to attempt to determine a provisional voter's
registration status: (A) The voter registrar's own county voter registration
files and records; (B) The Department of Public Safety; (C) Volunteer Deputy Registrars; and (D) Other records that may establish the provisional voter's eligibility. (2) The voter registrar must examine each Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope, determine the provisional voter's registration
status from the sources described in paragraph (1)(A) - (D) of this
subsection, and mark the appropriate status on the Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelope. (3) For provisional voters who did not present an acceptable
form of identification at the polling place, the voter registrar must
mark one of the following on the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope.
(A) Voter presented acceptable form of identification
within six days of election day. (B) Voter met disability exemption within six days of election day. (C) Voter executed religious objection affidavit within
six days of election day. (D) Voter executed natural disaster affidavit within
six days of election day. (E) Voter did not satisfy identification or affidavit
requirements, listed in subparagraphs (A) - (D) of this paragraph,
within six days of election day. (4) For provisional voters who voted provisionally
for other reasons, the voter registrar must mark one of the following
on the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope.
(A) Not a registered voter or registration not effective
in time for this election. (B) Registered to vote, erroneously listed in wrong precinct. (C) Registered to vote in a different precinct within the county. (D) Information on file indicating applicant completed
a voter registration application, but it was never received in the
voter registrar's office. (E) Voter erroneously removed from the list. (F) Voter is not registered to vote in ____________ political subdivision. (G) Other _________________ (Please explain). (5) The voter registrar shall sign and date each Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope after the registrar completes the review.
(6) The voter registrar shall copy the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope of each provisional voter who was not registered
to vote, who was registered but whose information contained updated
voter registration information, who was erroneously cancelled, who
was listed in the wrong precinct, or for any other reason the voter
registrar deems necessary. (7) For purposes of voter registration, the copied
Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope serves as an original voter
registration application or change form; the effective date will be
calculated as 30 days from the election date for the election for
which the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope was submitted. (8) If the residence address provided on the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope falls outside the voter registrar's jurisdiction,
the voter registrar shall forward a copy of the Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelope to the appropriate voter registrar. The effective
date of the transferred copy shall be calculated as 30 days from the
election date for the election for which the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelope was originally submitted. The original Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelope shall be transferred by the general custodian of
election records to the appropriate voter registrar after the preservation
period upon the voter registrar's request. (9) Poll watchers are not entitled to be present during
the voter registrar's review. (d) Return of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
by the Voter Registrar. (1) The voter registrar shall replace the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes in a closed and sealed transfer case provided
by the general custodian of election records along with copies of
the List of Provisional Voters and the copy of the Summary of Provisional
Ballots. The container must be closed and sealed. The serial number
of the seal shall be recorded on the Verification of Provisional Ballots
and Serial Number form. (2) The general custodian of the election records or
the Early Voting Ballot Board presiding judge shall pick up the closed
and sealed transfer cases and all other materials at the time, date,
and location designated by the voter registrar. The voter register
may designate more than one time and date for delivery and there may
be multiple deliveries. (3) The voter registrar's final designated time of
delivery may in no event be later than the time the Early Voting Ballot
Board convenes on the seventh day after election day to count provisional
ballots in accordance with §65.051(a) of the Code. (4) The voter registrar shall sign the Verification
of Provisional Ballots and Serial Numbers form verifying the transfer,
and the presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board or general
custodian of election records shall sign indicating receipt of the
Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes and that the container(s) were
properly closed and sealed.
§81.176.Early Voting Ballot Board Provisional Ballot Review.
(a) Early Voting Ballot Board defined for purposes
of provisional ballot review. The authority appointing the Early Voting
Ballot Board may determine which members of the board will review
and count the provisional ballots. The entire Early Voting Ballot
Board is not required to be present. A minimum of three members of
the board is required to conduct the review. (b) Delivery of Ballots to the Early Voting Ballot Board. (1) The presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot
Board shall take receipt of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
from the voter registrar directly or via the general custodian of
election records at a time and place to be determined by the presiding judge. (2) The voter registrar may review and transfer Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelopes to the presiding judge of the Early Voting
Ballot Board on a rolling basis. The voter registrar and presiding
judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board must coordinate transfer times.
(3) The time of delivery may in no event be later than
the time the Early Voting Ballot Board convenes on the seventh day
after election day to count provisional ballots pursuant to §65.051(a)
of the Code. (4) The presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot
Board may convene the board as soon as practicable after the voter
registrar has begun delivery of the applicable provisional ballots.
(5) The judge must post a notice on the bulletin board
used for posting notices of meetings of the governing body ordering
the election no later than 24 hours before the board is scheduled
to meet. The board may also convene while the voter registrar continues
the review. (c) Review of Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
by Early Voting Ballot Board. (1) The Early Voting Ballot Board shall review both
the election judge's and the voter registrar's notation on each Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope to determine whether or not the ballot should
be counted. (2) A Provisional Ballot shall not be counted for the following reasons: (A) If the election judge indicated that a voter failed
to present an acceptable form of identification at the polling place,
and the voter registrar noted that the voter did not satisfy the identification
requirements, meet the disability exemption, or execute a temporary
exemption affidavit in the presence of the voter registrar within
six days of election day, the ballot shall not be counted. (B) If the election judge indicated that a voter with
a permanent disability exemption to the identification requirements
did not submit the certificate at the polling place, and the voter
registrar notes that voter failed to within six days of election day
to present their registration certificate with exemption, or present
another form of acceptable identification, or apply for and receive
a permanent disability exemption, the ballot shall not be counted.
(C) If the election judge indicated that the reason
for casting a provisional ballot was that the voter appeared on the
list of registered voters as having cast a ballot by mail and the
voter registrar determines that the voter did not properly cancel
his or her application, the ballot shall not be counted. (D) If the voter registrar indicates that the provisional
voter is registered to vote at a different precinct other than the
one the voter voted in, the ballot shall not be counted. (E) If the voter registrar indicates the provisional
voter is not registered to vote, the ballot shall not be counted.
(3) The Provisional Ballot shall be counted for the following reasons: (A) If the voter registrar indicates that the voter
is registered, the ballot shall be counted. (B) The ballot shall be counted if the voter failed
to submit identification at the polling place, but the voter registrar
indicates the voter submitted an affidavit within six calendar days
after the date of the election asserting the voter: (i) Has a religious objection to being photographed
and the voter has consistently refused to be photographed for any
governmental purpose from the time the voter has held this belief; or (ii) Does not have any identification meeting the requirements
of §63.001(b) of the Code as a result of a natural disaster that
was declared by the President of the United States or the governor
that occurred not earlier than 45 days before the ballot was cast,
and caused the destruction of or inability to access the voter's identification.
(C) The ballot shall be counted if the voter failed
indicates the voter presented a valid form of identification in person
at the registrar's office within six days after the date of the election,
and the voter was otherwise eligible to vote in the election. (D) The ballot shall be counted if the voter failed
to submit identification at the polling place, but applied for and
received the disability exemption under §13.002(i) of the Code
by the sixth day after election day, and the voter was otherwise eligible
to vote in the election. (4) The presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot
Board shall indicate the disposition of each provisional ballot on
the appropriate space of the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelope.
(5) The presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot
Board shall indicate the disposition of each Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelope on the List of Provisional Voters for that precinct. (6) The ballots to be counted shall be removed from
their Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes and counted under the
normal procedure for counting ballots by mail in the election, unless
the presiding judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board decides to count
the ballots by hand. If counted by hand, the ballots shall be tallied
by precinct in the regular manner. The board shall prepare the returns
and submit the returns to the general custodian of election records.
(7) The Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes for
accepted provisional ballots shall be placed in an envelope or container
for Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes marked "Accepted," and
the Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes and the rejected provisional
ballots shall be placed in an envelope or container for Provisional
Ballot Envelopes marked "Rejected." (8) If using optical scan ballots: (A) The manager of the central counting station shall
decide whether the Early Voting Ballot Board shall manually count
the ballots and manually add to the computer count for a canvass total
or whether the central counting station shall reconvene. (B) The manager shall send notice to the presiding
judge of the Early Voting Ballot Board prior to reconvening the board
as to whether the ballots are to be counted manually by the board
or whether the ballots are merely to be prepared for delivery to the
central counting station. (C) Prior to the beginning of the count at a central
counting station, the manager shall run the required second logic
and accuracy test using the same test deck as on Election Day. The
test must be successful. (D) After the second successful test is conducted,
the unofficial election results, preserved by electronic means, shall
be loaded in the tabulating equipment. (E) Once the ballots have been counted, the results
shall be prepared in the regular manner. The manager shall prepare
a certification and attach it to the returns, then place the certification
and returns in envelope #1 to be delivered to the presiding officer
of the canvassing board indicating that the result supersedes any
returns printed prior to the reconvening of the central counting station
after election day. (F) After the count is complete, the manager shall
run the required third logic and accuracy test. If the test is not
successful, the count is void. (9) If using a Direct Record Electronic (DRE) system,
the central counting station manager shall prepare the DRE voting
system for reviewing and accepting provisional ballots in accordance
with instructions provided by the general custodian of election records,
which may include the instructions of the vendor of the system. (10) Once counted, the Provisional Ballot Affidavit
Envelopes, along with any corresponding paperwork shall be re-sealed
in the container and returned to the general custodian of election records. (11) The List of Provisional Voters for each precinct,
along with any copies of the List forms, shall be delivered to the
general custodian of election records in the envelope or container
for accepted Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes. (12) The provisional ballots and Provisional Ballot
Affidavit Envelopes shall be retained for the appropriate preservation
period for the election. (13) All Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes and
the List of Provisional Voters are public records. (14) Rejected Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
may not be opened except by court order. (15) Poll watchers are entitled to be present at the
meeting of Early Voting Ballot Board pursuant to §33.054 of the
Texas Election Code. (d) Request for Return of Original Envelopes. Upon
request of the voter registrar, the general custodian of election
records shall deliver the original Provisional Ballot Affidavit Envelopes
to the voter registrar after the preservation period. (e) Notice of Outcome to Provisional Voters. Not later
than the tenth day after the local canvass, the presiding judge of
the Early Voting Ballot Board shall deliver written notice to the
provisional voter regarding whether the provisional ballot was counted,
and if the ballot was not counted, the reason the ballot was not counted.
The presiding judge shall use the information provided on the Provisional
Ballot Affidavit Envelope to obtain the proper mailing address for
the voter and the final resolution of the provisional ballot.
TRD-201304312