Bill Text: TX HB199 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced


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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-07-09 - Filed [HB199 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB199-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Crockett H.B. No. 199
 
 
 
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 at a polling place at which the
  person would be allowed to vote if registered 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;
               (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;
                           (ii)  a United States passport issued to the
  person; or
                           (iii)  a United States military
  identification card that contains the person's photograph; and
               (3)  executes an affidavit stating that the person:
                     (A)  is eligible to vote in the election; and
                     (B)  is voting only once in the election.
         (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 who is entitled to register at a polling
  place, the early voting clerk shall follow the procedure for
  accepting 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, 2022.
         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, 2022.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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