Bill Text: TX HB1138 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and related procedures.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-02-26 - Referred to Elections [HB1138 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB1138-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Meza H.B. No. 1138
 
 
 
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.  Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Section 63.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 63.013.  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 an elected official at the polling
  place; and
               (2)  presents as proof of identification:
                     (A)  a Texas driver's license, including a
  temporary license or instruction permit, or personal
  identification card issued to the person by the Department of
  Public Safety that states the person's current address on the day
  the person seeks to vote; or
                     (B)  a utility bill addressed to the person dated
  not earlier than the 30th day before the date the person seeks to
  vote, and:
                           (i)  a Texas driver's license, including a
  temporary license or instruction permit, or personal
  identification card issued to the person by the Department of
  Public Safety, regardless of whether the address stated on the
  license or card is current on the day the person seeks to vote; or
                           (ii)  a valid United States passport issued
  to the person; or
                           
  (iii)  a valid United States military
  identification card that contains the person's photograph.
         (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 2.  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 3.  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as
  required by Section 63.013, Election Code, as added by this Act, not
  later than January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an election for which early voting by personal appearance begins on
  or after January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.
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