Zwiener Bill Lets Volunteer Deputy Registrars Collect Mail Ballot Applications

The text as introduced · 717 words

90R2815 MLH-F

By: Zwiener
H.B. No. 782

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the ability of a voter registrar and volunteer deputy

registrar to distribute and receive applications for a ballot to be

voted by mail.

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

SECTION 1. Section 13.038, Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 13.038. POWERS GENERALLY. (a) A volunteer deputy

registrar may distribute voter registration application forms

throughout the county and receive registration applications

submitted to the deputy in person.

(b) A volunteer deputy registrar may:

(1) distribute applications for an early voting ballot

to be voted by mail to voters in the county, as provided by

Subchapter A, Chapter 84; and

(2) accept an application for an early voting ballot

to be voted by mail delivered under Section 84.0085.

SECTION 2. Section 13.043(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) A volunteer deputy registrar commits an offense if the

deputy fails to comply with Section 13.042 or 84.0085 .

SECTION 3. Section 13.047(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) The secretary of state shall:

(1) adopt standards of training in election law

relating to :

(A) the registration of voters ; and

(B) the receipt from voters of applications to

vote by mail ;

(2) develop materials for a standardized curriculum

for that training; and

(3) distribute the materials as necessary to each

county voter registrar.

SECTION 4. Section 84.007(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Sections 84.008 , 84.0085, and

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

submitted as provided by this section.

SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 84.0085 to read as follows:

Sec. 84.0085. SUBMITTING APPLICATION FOR BALLOT VOTED BY

MAIL; DELIVERY TO REGISTRAR OR VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR. (a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, an applicant for

a ballot to be voted by mail may submit the applicant's application

for an early voting ballot to be voted by mail by delivering it in

person to the registrar or a volunteer deputy registrar if the

application is submitted not later than the deadline provided by

Section 84.007(c).

(b) A volunteer deputy registrar shall deliver an

application for a ballot to be voted by mail to the registrar in the

same manner as a voter registration application is delivered to the

registrar under Section 13.042.

(c) The registrar shall deliver an application for a ballot

to be voted by mail received under this section to the early voting

clerk in the manner described by Section 84.007 or 84.008.

(d) If a voter submits a voter registration application with

an application for a ballot to be voted by mail, the registrar may

not deliver the application for a ballot to be voted by mail to the

early voting clerk unless the registrar accepts the voter's

registration application under Section 13.072.

(e) The secretary of state shall adopt rules to ensure

applications for a ballot to be voted by mail received under this

section are delivered to the early voting clerk in a timely manner.

The rules must require that:

(1) for an application delivered to a volunteer deputy

registrar not later than the 15th day before the date of the

election, the volunteer deputy registrar shall deliver the

application to the registrar not later than 5:00 p.m. on the fifth

day after the date the volunteer deputy registrar receives the

application; and

(2) for an application delivered to a volunteer deputy

registrar after the 15th day before the date of the election, the

volunteer deputy registrar shall deliver the application to the

registrar not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day after the date the

volunteer deputy registrar receives the application.

SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 84.0122 to read as follows:

Sec. 84.0122. REGISTRAR AND VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR TO

DISTRIBUTE APPLICATION FORM ON REQUEST. A registrar or volunteer

deputy registrar may maintain a supply of the official application

forms for ballots to be voted by mail and shall distribute the forms

to voters in the same manner as the early voting clerk.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.