85R4265 GRM-D     By: Rodriguez of Bexar H.B. No. 952       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the use of e-mail on a vote by mail application.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 84.011(a), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)  The officially prescribed application form for an early   voting ballot must include:                (1)  immediately preceding the signature space the   statement:  "I certify that the information given in this   application is true, and I understand that giving false information   in this application is a crime.";                (2)  a statement informing the applicant of the   offenses prescribed by Sections 84.003 and 84.004;                (3)  spaces for entering an applicant's voter   registration number and county election precinct of registration,   with a statement informing the applicant that failure to furnish   that information does not invalidate the application; and                (4)  on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail:                      (A)  a space for an applicant applying on the   ground of absence from the county of residence to indicate the date   on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address   outside the county;                      (B)  a space for indicating the fact that an   applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the   applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or   lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;                      (C)  a space for entering an applicant's telephone   number and e-mail address, with a statement informing the applicant   that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the   application;                      (D)  a space or box for an applicant applying on   the ground of age or disability to indicate that the address to   which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a facility or   relative described by Section 84.002(a)(3), if applicable;                      (E)  a space or box for an applicant applying on   the ground of confinement in jail to indicate that the address to   which the ballot is to be mailed is the address of a relative   described by Section 84.002(a)(4), if applicable;                      (F)  a space for an applicant applying on the   ground of age or disability to indicate if the application is an   application under Section 86.0015;                      (G)  spaces for entering the signature, printed   name, and residence address of any person assisting the applicant;                      (H)  a statement informing the applicant of the   condition prescribed by Section 81.005; and                      (I)  a statement informing the applicant of the   requirement prescribed by Section 86.003(c).          SECTION 2.  Section 86.001, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (f) and (f-1) to read as follows:          (f)  The early voting clerk, before rejecting an   application, shall make a reasonable effort to contact the   applicant by e-mail at any e-mail address provided on the   application, to ask questions about the application.  The applicant   may make clerical corrections to the application by e-mail,   including correcting the applicant's date of birth, correcting   spelling of the applicant's name, or providing additional   information to make corrections to an address or county of   residence.  If an applicant has submitted an address that is not an   acceptable mailing address, the applicant may submit to the early   voting clerk a mailing address by e-mail.  If the early voting clerk   does not receive a response before the fourth day after the date the   clerk sent an e-mail to the e-mail address provided on the   application, the clerk may reject the application.  The early   voting clerk shall attach to and maintain with the original   application submissions and corrections provided by e-mail under   this subsection.          (f-1)  An applicant may not change the address or county of   residence submitted on the original application to a different   address or county of residence by e-mail.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.