online mail ballot applications for voters 65 or older

The text as introduced · 393 words

89R13103 MPF-D

By: Ward Johnson
H.B. No. 3691

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to electronic submission of an application for an early

voting ballot by mail by certain persons.

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

SECTION 1. Sections 84.001(b) and (d), Election Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(b) Subject to Section 1.011 and except as provided by

Section 84.0091 , an application must be submitted in writing and

signed by the applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature

or photocopied signature is not permitted except as provided by

Section 84.0091 .

(d) An application must be submitted [ by mail ] to the early

voting clerk for the election who serves the election precinct of

the applicant's residence.

SECTION 2. Section 84.007(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Sections 84.008 , [ and ] 84.009, and

84.0091, an application for a ballot to be voted by mail must be

submitted as provided by this section.

SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 84.0091 to read as follows:

Sec. 84.0091. SUBMITTING CERTAIN APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOT

VOTED BY MAIL: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION. (a) The secretary of state

shall implement a program to allow a person 65 years of age or older

to complete an application for an early voting ballot by mail over

the Internet from the official website of this state and from the

Internet website of the county in which the person is registered to

vote. The program must:

(1) permit an applicant to electronically sign the

application;

(2) deliver a completed application to the early

voting clerk for the election who serves the election precinct of

the applicant's residence; and

(3) permit an applicant to check the status of the

applicant's application.

(b) The program implemented under Subsection (a) must

require a person 65 years of age or older to provide the following

information before allowing the person to complete an application

for an early voting ballot by mail:

(1) the person's name and voter registration number or

registration address;

(2) the person's driver's license number or personal

identification card number issued by the Department of Public

Safety; and

(3) the last four digits of the person's social

security number.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.