bill allowing same-day voter registration at the polls

The text as introduced · 437 words

89R1946 LRM-D

By: Cole
H.B. No. 1855

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and

related procedures.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 12.007 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.007. CERTAIN ELECTION OFFICERS ARE VOTER

REGISTRARS. The registrar shall appoint at least one election

officer serving each polling place for early voting by personal

appearance or on election day as a regular deputy registrar.

SECTION 2. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding

Section 63.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 63.010. REGISTRATION AT POLLING PLACE; VOTING

PROCEDURES. (a) Other applicable provisions of this code apply to

the conduct of voting and to the registration of voters under this

section to the extent those provisions do not conflict with this

section.

(b) A person who would be eligible to vote in an election

under Section 11.001, but for the requirement to be a registered

voter, shall be accepted for voting in the precinct of the person's

residence if, on the day the person offers to vote, the person:

(1) submits a voter registration application that

complies with Section 13.002 to a voter registrar at the polling

place; and

(2) presents as proof of identification:

(A) a form of photo identification listed in

Section 63.0101(a) that states the person's current address on the

day the person seeks to vote; or

(B) a document listed in Section 63.0101(b)(2)

and another form of identification listed in Section 63.0101(a),

(b)(1), or (b)(3).

(c) Persons voting under this section shall be processed

separately at the polling place from persons who are voting under

regular procedures.

(d) The secretary of state shall adopt rules to ensure the

accountability of election officers and to fairly implement this

section.

SECTION 3. Section 85.031(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) For each person entitled to vote an early voting ballot

by personal appearance or entitled to register at a polling place ,

the early voting clerk shall follow the procedure for accepting or

registering a regular voter on election day, with the modifications

necessary for the conduct of early voting.

SECTION 4. The secretary of state shall adopt rules as

required by Section 63.010, Election Code, as added by this Act, not

later than February 1, 2026.

SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

an election for which early voting by personal appearance begins on

or after February 1, 2026.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.