88R4282 MLH-F     By: Bucy H.B. No. 3748       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to ensuring access to the right to vote by all eligible   voters.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:   ARTICLE 1. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS          SECTION 1.01.  Section 11.002(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  In this code, "qualified voter" means a person who:                (1)  is 18 years of age or older;                (2)  is a United States citizen;                (3)  has not been determined by a final judgment of a   court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:                      (A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or                      (B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the   right to vote;                (4)  has not been finally convicted of a felony or, if   so convicted, is not currently incarcerated for that offense [has:                      [(A)  fully discharged the person's sentence,   including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or   completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or                      [(B)  been pardoned or otherwise released from the   resulting disability to vote];                (5)  is a resident of this state; and                (6)  is a registered voter.          SECTION 1.02.  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 1.03.  Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 13.009 to read as follows:          Sec. 13.009.  ELECTRONIC VOTER REGISTRATION. (a) The   secretary of state shall work with the Department of Public Safety   and the Department of Information Resources to implement a program   to allow a person to complete a voter registration application over   the Internet from the official website of this state. The Internet   websites of the secretary of state, the Department of Public   Safety, and each voter registration agency under Section 20.001(a)   must also provide a link to the location of the application on the   official website of this state.          (b)  An applicant for electronic voter registration who has   an unexpired driver's license or personal identification card   issued in this state must:                (1)  attest to the truth of the information provided on   the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true;   and                (2)  affirmatively consent to the use of the signature   on the applicant's driver's license or personal identification card   for voter registration purposes.          (c)  An applicant for electronic voter registration who does   not have an unexpired driver's license or personal identification   card issued in this state must:                (1)  attest to the truth of the information provided on   the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true;   and                (2)  digitally sign the applicant's application before   submitting it electronically.          (d)  For each application submitted under Subsection (b),   the program shall require that a digital copy of the applicant's   signature be obtained from the Department of Public Safety.          (e)  A digital signature given as provided by secretary of   state rule meets the signature requirement under Section 13.002(b).     An application submitted under this section is considered for all   purposes an application submitted by mail under this title.          (f)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules as necessary to   implement this section, including rules to provide for additional   security measures necessary to ensure the accuracy and integrity of   applications submitted electronically.          (g)  The rules adopted under Subsection (f) must require   that:                (1)  the Internet website through which a person may   complete a voter registration application include a description of   the offense described by Section 13.007 in a conspicuous location   on the website near the place where the person begins or submits the   application; and                (2)  the state electronic Internet portal project be   used to authenticate the identity and address of a person who   submits an application electronically under this section.          SECTION 1.04.  Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is   amended by adding Sections 13.010 and 13.011 to read as follows:          Sec. 13.010.  VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF   PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) The voter registrar of each county shall   automatically register any county resident who is eligible to vote   as provided by Section 13.001 and:                (1)  is issued a Texas driver's license or a personal   identification card by the Department of Public Safety; or                (2)  makes a change to a Texas driver's license or   personal identification card issued by the Department of Public   Safety.          (b)  A driver's license or personal identification card   transaction with an indication provided by Section 20.062(b) or   20.063(c) that the transaction is not for voter registration   purposes is not subject to this section.          Sec. 13.011.  VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH CERTAIN VOTER   REGISTRATION AGENCIES. (a) The voter registrar of each county   shall automatically register any county resident who is eligible to   vote as provided by Section 13.001 and applies for services from a   voter registration agency under Subchapter B, Chapter 20.          (b)  An application for services is not subject to this   section if the application is accompanied by:                (1)  an indication under Section 20.002(b) that the   transaction is not for voter registration; or                (2)  a declination form under Section 20.036.          (c)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for   the implementation of this section.          SECTION 1.05.  Section 13.031, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:          (f)  A volunteer deputy registrar appointed under this   section may serve as a volunteer deputy registrar throughout the   state regardless of which county appointed the deputy registrar.   The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to implement this   subsection.          SECTION 1.06.  Section 13.033(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  If a person is to be appointed, the registrar shall   prepare a certificate of appointment in duplicate containing:                (1)  the date of appointment;                (2)  the statement: "I, ____________, Voter Registrar   for ____________ County, do hereby appoint ____________ as a   volunteer deputy registrar [for ____________ County].";                (3)  the person's residence address;                (4)  the person's voter registration number, if any;                (5)  a statement that the term of the appointment   expires December 31 of an even-numbered year; and                (6)  a statement that the appointment terminates on the   person's final conviction for an offense for failure to deliver a   registration application and may terminate on the registrar's   determination that the person failed to adequately review a   registration application, intentionally destroyed or physically   altered a registration application, or engaged in any other   activity that conflicts with the responsibilities of a volunteer   deputy registrar under this chapter.          SECTION 1.07.  Section 13.037(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A person may not receive compensation from any [the]   county for service as a volunteer deputy registrar unless   compensation is authorized by the commissioners court of that   county.          SECTION 1.08.  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 distribute a voter   registration application in the form prescribed by the secretary of   state under Section 31.002 throughout the state and receive an   application in that form submitted to the deputy in person,   regardless of the county in which the application was printed.          (c)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to   implement this section.          SECTION 1.09.  Section 13.046(h), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (h)  The secretary of state shall:                (1)  consult with the Texas Education Agency regarding   the number of registration application forms to provide to each   high school;                (2)  provide to each high school registration   application forms once each fall and spring semester in the number   determined from the consultation under Subdivision (1); and                 (3)  prescribe any additional procedures necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 1.10.  Section 20.001(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The following state agencies are designated as voter   registration agencies:                (1)  Health and Human Services Commission;                (2)  Department of Aging and Disability Services;                (3)  Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative   Services;                (4)  Department of State Health Services; [and]                (5)  Texas Workforce Commission; and                (6)  any other agency or program as determined by the   secretary of state that primarily provides:                      (A)  public assistance; or                      (B)  services to persons with disabilities.          SECTION 1.11.  Section 20.002, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 20.002.  AGENCY-PRESCRIBED REGISTRATION APPLICATION   FORM.  (a)  A voter registration agency under this subchapter shall   prescribe and use a form and procedure that combines a form for   services from that agency with an officially prescribed voter   registration application form.          (b)  A voter registration agency under this subchapter shall   prescribe and use a form and procedure that requests a person's   address and that combines agency and voter registration functions.     The form must allow a person to indicate that a change of address is   not for voter registration purposes.          (c)  The design, content, and physical characteristics of   the agency forms must be [Instead of using the official voter   registration application form prescribed by the secretary of state,   a voter registration agency may use an official form prescribed by   the agency, if] approved by the secretary of state.          SECTION 1.12.  Section 20.032(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  An appropriate agency employee shall [routinely] inform   each person who applies in person for agency services of the   opportunity to complete a voter registration application form and   [on request] shall provide nonpartisan voter registration   assistance to the applicant.          SECTION 1.13.  Section 20.061, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 20.061.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS. The other   provisions of this chapter apply to the Department of Public Safety   except provisions that conflict with this subchapter or Section   13.010.          SECTION 1.14.  Section 20.062(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  The department shall prescribe and use a change of   address form and procedure that combines department and voter   registration functions. The form must allow a licensee or   cardholder to indicate that [whether] the change of address is not   [also to be used] for voter registration purposes.          SECTION 1.15.  Section 20.063, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 20.063.  REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. (a)  The Department   of Public Safety shall consider an application made in person, by   mail, or online at the department's Internet website [provide to   each person who applies in person at the department's offices] for   an original or renewal of a driver's license, a personal   identification card, or a duplicate or corrected license or card by   a person who is eligible to vote as provided by Section 13.001 an   application for [opportunity to complete a] voter registration.   The date of application is considered to be the date of submission   to the voter registrar for the purpose of determining the effective   date of registration [application form].          (b)  The Department of Public Safety shall consider a change   of address that relates to [When the department processes] a   license or card and that is submitted to [for renewal by mail,] the   department [shall deliver to the applicant by mail a voter   registration application form.          [(c)  A change of address that relates to a license or card   and that is submitted to the department] in person, [or] by mail, or   online at the department's Internet website [serves] as a change in   [of address for] voter registration [unless the licensee or   cardholder indicates that the change is not for voter registration   purposes]. The date of submission of a change of address to a   department employee is considered to be the date of submission to   the voter registrar for the purpose of determining the effective   date of registration [only].          (c)  The registration of an eligible [(d)  If a completed]   voter as required by Subsections (a) and (b) is automatic unless the   person indicates that the transaction is not for voter   registration purposes [application submitted to a department   employee does not include the applicant's correct driver's license   number or personal identification card number, a department   employee shall enter the appropriate information on the   application. If a completed application does not include the   applicant's correct residence address or mailing address, a   department employee shall obtain the appropriate information from   the applicant and enter the information on the application].          SECTION 1.16.  Section 20.065(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Each weekday the department is regularly open for   business, the department shall electronically transfer to the   secretary of state the name and information designated by the   secretary of state for [of each person who completes a] voter   registration for each individual who is eligible to vote as   provided by Section 13.001 and applies in person, by mail, or online   at the department's Internet website for an original or renewal of a   driver's license, a personal identification card, or a duplicate or   corrected license or card [application submitted to the   department].  The secretary shall prescribe procedures necessary to   implement this subsection.          SECTION 1.17.  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 1.18.  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.   ARTICLE 2. VOTING BY MAIL          SECTION 2.01.  Section 4.003, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as   follows:          (b)  In addition to any other notice given for an election   under Subsection (a), not later than the 21st day before election   day, a county shall post a copy of a notice of the election given by   the county or provided to the county under Section 4.008(a)[, which   must include the location of each polling place,] on the county's   Internet website, if the county maintains a website. An authority   responsible for giving notice of an election may post a copy of the   notice on the bulletin board used for posting notices of the   meetings of the governing body of the political subdivision that   the authority serves. If a county does not maintain a website, the   authority responsible for giving notice of the election shall post   a copy of a notice of the election on the bulletin board used for   posting notices of the meetings of the governing body of the   political subdivision that the authority serves. For each precinct   that is combined to form a consolidated precinct under Section   42.008, not later than the 10th day before election day, the   authority shall also post, at the polling place used in the   preceding general election, notice of the precinct's consolidation   and the location of the polling place in the consolidated precinct.   A notice posted under this subsection must remain posted   continuously through election day.          (b-1)  The notice given under Subsection (b) must include:                (1)  the location of each polling place that will be   open on election day;                (2)  the location of each polling place that will be   open for early voting; and                (3)  each location that will be available to voters to   deliver a marked ballot under Section 86.006(a-5).          SECTION 2.02.  Section 13.002(e), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (e)  Notwithstanding Section 82.005, a [A] person who is   certified for participation in the address confidentiality program   administered by the attorney general under Subchapter B, Chapter   58, Code of Criminal Procedure, is not eligible for early voting by   mail [under Section 82.007] unless the person submits an   application under this section by personal delivery. The secretary   of state may adopt rules to implement this subsection.          SECTION 2.03.  Section 82.005, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 82.005.  ELIGIBILITY FOR EARLY VOTING [BY PERSONAL   APPEARANCE]. Any qualified voter is eligible for early voting by   mail or personal appearance.          SECTION 2.04.  Section 82.007, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 82.007.  PARTICIPATION IN ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY   PROGRAM. Notwithstanding Section 82.005, a [A] qualified voter   who, [is eligible for early voting by mail if:                [(1)  the voter submitted a registration application by   personal delivery as required by Section 13.002(e); and                [(2)]  at the time the voter's early voting ballot   application is submitted, [the voter] is certified for   participation in the address confidentiality program administered   by the attorney general under Subchapter B, Chapter 58, Code of   Criminal Procedure, is eligible for early voting by mail only if the   voter submitted a registration application by personal delivery as   required by Section 13.002(e).          SECTION 2.05.  Section 84.001, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) and adding Subsection   (e-1) to read as follows:          (a)  To be entitled to vote an early voting ballot by mail, a   person [who is eligible for early voting] must make an application   for an early voting ballot to be voted by mail as provided by this   title.          (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.          (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (e-1), an application   [An applicant] for a ballot to be voted by mail serves as an   application both [may apply] for a ballot [ballots] for the main   election and for any resulting runoff election [on the same   application].  If an application [for the main election and any   resulting runoff] is not timely for the main election, it will be   considered timely for any resulting runoff if received not later   than the deadline, determined using the date of the runoff   election, for submitting a regular application for a ballot to be   voted by mail.          (e-1)  An applicant for a ballot to be voted by mail for the   main election may request not to receive a ballot for a resulting   runoff election.          SECTION 2.06.  Section 84.002(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  An early voting ballot application must include:                (1)  the applicant's name and the address at which the   applicant is registered to vote;                [(1-a)  the following information:                      [(A)  the number of the applicant's driver's   license, election identification certificate, or personal   identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety;                      [(B)  if the applicant has not been issued a   number described by Paragraph (A), the last four digits of the   applicant's social security number; or                      [(C)  a statement by the applicant that the   applicant has not been issued a number described by Paragraph (A) or   (B);]                (2)  for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail   by an applicant who will be absent from the applicant's [on the   ground of absence from the] county of residence on election day, the   address outside the applicant's county of residence to which the   ballot is to be mailed or an e-mail address for the applicant to   which the ballot is sent by electronic transmission;                (3)  for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail   by an applicant who is 65 years of age or older on election day or   has a sickness or physical condition that requires the applicant to   reside in a hospital or nursing home or other long-term care   facility, or with a relative [on the ground of age or disability],   the address of the hospital, nursing home or other long-term care   facility, or retirement center, or of a person related to the   applicant within the second degree by affinity or the third degree   by consanguinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code,   if the applicant is living at that address and that address is   different from the address at which the applicant is registered to   vote;                (4)  for an application for a ballot to be voted by mail   by an applicant who is confined [on the ground of confinement] in   jail as described by Section 84.009(a), the address of the jail or   of a person related to the applicant within the degree described by   Subdivision (3);                (5)  [for an application for a ballot to be voted by   mail on any ground,] an indication of each election for which the   applicant is applying for a ballot; and                (6)  [an indication of the ground of eligibility for   early voting; and                [(7)]  for an application for a ballot to be voted by   mail by an applicant who is civilly committed as a sexually violent   predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, and is ordered   as a condition of civil commitment to reside in a facility operated   by or under contract with the Texas Civil Commitment Office [on the   ground of involuntary civil commitment], the address of the   facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Civil   Commitment Office or of a person related to the applicant within the   degree of consanguinity described by Subdivision (3).          SECTION 2.07.  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 2.08.  Section 84.009, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b) to read as   follows:          (a)  This section applies only to an applicant who, at the   time the application for a ballot to be voted by mail is submitted,   is confined in jail:                (1)  serving a misdemeanor sentence for a term that   ends on or after election day;                (2)  pending trial after denial of bail;                (3)  without bail pending an appeal of a felony   conviction; or                (4)  pending trial or appeal on a bailable offense for   which release on bail before election day is unlikely.          (b)  On request of the applicant, an application for a ballot   to be voted by mail [on the ground of confinement in jail] may be   submitted to the early voting clerk, at the discretion of the   authority in charge of the jail, by personal delivery by the jail   authority or by a designated subordinate of the authority.          SECTION 2.09.  Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 84.0091 to read as follows:          Sec. 84.0091.  SUBMITTING APPLICATION FOR BALLOT VOTED BY   MAIL: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.  (a)  The secretary of state shall   implement a program to allow a person to complete an application for   an early voting ballot by mail over the Internet from the official   website of this state. 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 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 2.10.  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;                [(3-a)  a space for entering the information required   under Section 84.002(a)(1-a);] 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:                            (i)  whether the applicant will be absent   from the applicant's county of residence on election day;                            (ii)  if applicable, the date on or after   which the applicant can receive mail at the address outside the   county; and                            (iii)  whether the applicant wishes to   receive the balloting materials by electronic transmission and, if   so, a space for the applicant to provide an e-mail address;                      (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, 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 who is 65   years of age or older on election day or has a sickness or physical   condition that requires the applicant to reside in a hospital or   nursing home or other long-term care facility, or with a relative,   [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 who is   confined [applying on the ground of confinement] in jail as   described by Section 84.009(a) or who is civilly committed as a   sexually violent predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety   Code, and ordered as a condition of civil commitment to reside in a   facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Civil   Commitment Office, [involuntary civil commitment] 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) or (6) [(7)], 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 2.11.  Sections 86.001(b) and (c), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (b)  If the application complies with the applicable   requirements prescribed by this title [applicant is entitled to   vote an early voting ballot by mail], the clerk shall provide an   official ballot to the applicant as provided by this chapter.          (c)  Except as provided by Section 86.008, if the applicant   is not entitled to vote in the election [by mail], the clerk shall   reject the application, enter on the application "rejected" and the   reason for and date of rejection, and deliver written notice of the   reason for the rejection to the applicant at both the residence   address and mailing address on the application. A ballot may not be   provided to an applicant whose application is rejected.          SECTION 2.12.  Section 86.0015(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  This section applies only to an application for a ballot   to be voted by mail that[:                [(1) indicates the ground of eligibility is age or   disability; and                [(2)] does not specify the election for which a ballot   is requested or has been marked by the applicant as an application   for more than one election.          SECTION 2.13.  Section 86.003(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  The address to which the balloting materials must be   addressed is the address at which the voter is registered to vote,   or the registered mailing address if different, unless the   application to vote early by mail indicates that the voter [ground   for voting by mail is]:                (1)  will be absent from the voter's [absence from the]   county of residence on election day, in which case the address must   be an address outside the voter's county of residence;                (2)  is confined [confinement] in jail as described by   Section 84.009(a), in which case the address must be the address of   the jail or of a relative described by Section 84.002(a)(4);                (3)  is 65 years of age or older on election day or has a   sickness or physical condition that requires the applicant to   reside in a hospital or nursing home or other long-term care   facility, or with a relative, [age or disability] and [the voter] is   living at a hospital, nursing home or other long-term care   facility, or retirement center, or with a relative described by   Section 84.002(a)(3), in which case the address must be the address   of that facility or relative; or                (4)  is civilly committed as a sexually violent   predator under Chapter 841, Health and Safety Code, and ordered as a   condition of civil commitment to reside in a facility operated by or   under contract with the Texas Civil Commitment Office [involuntary   civil commitment], in which case the address must be the address of   the facility or of a relative described by Section 84.002(a)(6)   [84.002(a)(7)].          SECTION 2.14.  Section 86.004(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  For an election to which Section 101.104 applies, the   balloting materials for a voter who indicates on the application   for a ballot to be voted by mail or the federal postcard application   that the voter seeks [is eligible] to vote early by mail as a   consequence of the voter's being outside the United States shall be   mailed on or before the later of the 45th day before election day or   the seventh calendar day after the date the clerk receives the   application.  However, if it is not possible to mail the ballots by   the deadline of the 45th day before election day, the clerk shall   notify the secretary of state within 24 hours of knowing that the   deadline will not be met.  The secretary of state shall monitor the   situation and advise the clerk, who shall mail the ballots as soon   as possible in accordance with the secretary of state's guidelines.          SECTION 2.15.  Section 86.006, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (a-1) and adding Subsections (a-3),   (a-4), (a-5), and (a-6) to read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-3), a [A] marked   ballot voted under this chapter must be returned to the early voting   clerk in the official carrier envelope.  The carrier envelope may be   delivered in another envelope and must be transported and delivered   only by:                (1)  mail;                (2)  common or contract carrier; [or]                (3)  subject to Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), in-person   delivery by the voter who voted the ballot; or                (4)  subject to Subsection (a-4), delivery to an   authorized depository box.          (a-1)  The voter may deliver a marked ballot in person to the   early voting clerk's office or to another designated location   [only] while the polls are open on election day or during the early   voting period.  A voter who delivers a marked ballot in person may   return only the voter's own ballot and must present identification   required by Section 63.001(b) in a [an acceptable] form [of   identification] described by Section 63.0101.          (a-3)  A marked ballot received through electronic   transmission as provided by Section 86.0031 shall be returned to   the early voting clerk by mail or common or contract carrier through   the procedures prescribed by the secretary of state.          (a-4)  The voter may deliver a sealed carrier envelope   containing a marked ballot to any depository box authorized by the   early voting clerk.  The early voting clerk may authorize any number   of suitable locations for placement of a depository box.          (a-5)  The county clerk may designate any of the following   locations for delivering marked ballots under Subsection (a-1):                (1)  the early voting clerk's office;                (2)  any polling place open during early voting or on   election day; or                (3)  any suitable location that meets criteria   prescribed by the secretary of state.          (a-6)  To ensure that locations designated for delivering   marked ballots are accessible and secure, the secretary of state   shall adopt rules establishing criteria for a location that a   county clerk may designate under Subsection (a-5).          SECTION 2.16.  Section 87.041(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  A ballot may be accepted only if:                (1)  the carrier envelope certificate is properly   executed;                (2)  neither the voter's signature on the ballot   application nor the signature on the carrier envelope certificate   is determined to have been executed by a person other than the   voter, unless signed by a witness;                (3)  [the voter's ballot application states a legal   ground for early voting by mail;                [(4)]  the voter is registered to vote, if registration   is required by law;                (4)  [(5)  the address to which the ballot was mailed   to the voter, as indicated by the application, was outside the   voter's county of residence, if the ground for early voting is   absence from the county of residence;                [(6)]  for a voter to whom a statement of residence form   was required to be sent under Section 86.002(a), the statement of   residence is returned in the carrier envelope and indicates that   the voter satisfies the residence requirements prescribed by   Section 63.0011; and                (5) [(7)]  the address to which the ballot was mailed   to the voter is an address [that is otherwise] required by Sections   84.002 and 86.003[; and                [(8)  the information required under Section 86.002(g)   provided by the voter identifies the same voter identified on the   voter's application for voter registration under Section   13.002(c)(8)].          SECTION 2.17.  Section 102.001(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A qualified voter is eligible to vote a late ballot as   provided by this chapter if the voter has a sickness or physical   condition [described by Section 82.002] that prevents the voter   from appearing at the polling place on election day without a   likelihood of needing personal assistance or of injuring the   voter's health and originates on or after the day before the last   day for submitting an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.   ARTICLE 3. CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS          SECTION 3.01.  Section 12.004(d), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (d)  The [If early voting by personal appearance is required   to be conducted for extended hours under Section 85.005(c) or for   weekend hours under Section 85.006(e), the] registrar's office   shall remain open for providing voter registration information   during the [extended hours or weekend] hours that the main early   voting polling place is open for voting.          SECTION 3.02.  Section 13.002(i), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (i)  An applicant who wishes to receive an exemption from the   requirements of Section 63.001(b) on the basis of disability must   submit:                (1)  written documentation:                      (A)  from the United States Social Security   Administration evidencing the applicant has been determined to have   a disability; or                      (B)  from the United States Department of Veterans   Affairs evidencing the applicant has a disability rating of at   least 50 percent; and                (2)  a statement in a form prescribed by the secretary   of state that the applicant does not have [a form of] identification   required by Section 63.001(b) in a form described by [acceptable   under] Section 63.0101.          SECTION 3.03.  Section 33.001, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.001.  WATCHER DEFINED. In this code, "watcher"   means a person appointed under this subchapter to observe the   conduct of an election on behalf of a candidate, a political party,   a nonpartisan election observation organization, or the proponents   or opponents of a measure.          SECTION 3.04.  Section 33.007(d), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (d)  The number of watchers accepted for service on each side   of a measure may not exceed the number authorized by this section.   If the number of appointments exceeds the authorized number, the   authority accepting the watchers for service shall accept the   watchers in the order in which they present their certificates of   appointment. A watcher appointed under Section 33.009 is not   subject to the limitation of this subsection.          SECTION 3.05.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 33.009 to read as follows:          Sec. 33.009.  APPOINTMENT BY NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION. (a)   A nonpartisan election observation organization that has been   certified by the secretary of state in accordance with this section   may appoint watchers.          (b)  The secretary of state shall certify qualifying   nonpartisan election observation organizations within this state.   The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing criteria to   determine whether an organization may be certified. The rules must   require the organization and its appointed nonpartisan watchers to:                (1)  be impartial in substance and process;                (2)  cooperate with election officers;                (3)  be diligent in not obstructing the process;                (4)  be independent from the government, in the   interest of promoting the right to vote;                (5)  be transparent and accountable with regard to   funding, including refusal to accept funding from any source or   under any condition that may create a conflict of interest; and                (6)  be vigilant in identifying and addressing   potential and actual conflicts of interest.          (c)  A watcher appointed under this section is not entitled   to:                (1)  sign the seal of a ballot box under Section   127.066; or                (2)  sign the seal of a test material container under   Section 127.099.          SECTION 3.06.  Section 33.031, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.031.  GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. (a) Except   as provided by Subsection (c), to [To] be eligible to serve as   a watcher, a person must be a qualified voter:                (1)  of the county in which the person is to serve, in   an election ordered by the governor or a county authority or in a   primary election;                (2)  of the part of the county in which the election is   held, in an election ordered by the governor or a county authority   that does not cover the entire county of the person's residence; and                (3)  of the political subdivision, in an election   ordered by an authority of a political subdivision other than a   county.          (b)  In addition to the requirements of Subsection (a), to be   eligible to serve as a watcher, a person must complete training   under Section 33.008.          (c)  A person appointed as a watcher under Section 33.009 is   not subject to the requirements of Subsection (a) and is eligible to   serve as a watcher if the person:                (1)  is a registered voter in this state; and                (2)  understands and agrees to comply with the   principles and practices set forth in the Declaration of Global   Principles for Non-partisan Election Observation and Monitoring by   Citizen Organizations and Code of Conduct for Non-partisan Citizen   Election Observers and Monitors, as commemorated by the United   Nations on April 3, 2012.          SECTION 3.07.  Subchapter A, Chapter 43, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 43.008 to read as follows:          Sec. 43.008.  CAMPUS POLLING PLACES. (a) In this section,   "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by   Section 61.003, Education Code.          (b)  The commissioners court of a county shall designate as a   polling place a number of locations on the main campus of an   institution of higher education located in the county as follows:                (1)  if at least 5,000 but fewer than 10,000 students   are enrolled at the institution, one location; or                (2)  if at least 10,000 students are enrolled at the   institution, two locations and one additional location for every   10,000 students enrolled at the institution over 10,000 students.          SECTION 3.08.  Sections 63.001(b) and (i), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), on offering to   vote, a voter must present to an election officer at the polling   place:                (1)  one form of photo identification listed in Section   63.0101(a); [or]                (2)  one form of identification listed in Section   63.0101(b)(1), (2), or (3) accompanied by the declaration described   by Subsection (i);                (3)  two forms of identification listed under Section   63.0101(b), including one form that contains the voter's current   address; or                (4)  two forms of identification listed under Section   63.0101(b)(4) accompanied by the declaration described by   Subsection (i).          (i)  If the requirement for identification prescribed by   Subsection (b)(1) or (3) is not met, an election officer shall   notify the voter that the voter may be accepted for voting if the   voter meets the requirement for identification prescribed by   Subsection (b)(2) or (4) and executes a declaration declaring the   voter has a reasonable impediment to meeting the requirement for   identification prescribed by Subsection (b)(1) or (3). A person is   subject to prosecution for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or   under Section 63.0013 for a false statement or false information on   the declaration. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of   the declaration. The form shall include:                (1)  a notice that a person is subject to prosecution   for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or under Section 63.0013   for a false statement or false information on the declaration;                (2)  a statement that the voter swears or affirms that   the information contained in the declaration is true, that the   person described in the declaration is the same person appearing at   the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces   a reasonable impediment to procuring the identification prescribed   by Subsection (b)(1) or (3);                (3)  a place for the voter to indicate one of the   following impediments:                      (A)  lack of transportation;                      (B)  lack of birth certificate or other documents   needed to obtain the identification prescribed by Subsection   (b)(1);                      (C)  work schedule;                      (D)  lost or stolen identification;                      (E)  disability or illness;                      (F)  family responsibilities; and                      (G)  the identification prescribed by Subsection   (b)(1) or (3) has been applied for but not received;                (4)  a place for the voter to sign and date the   declaration;                (5)  a place for the election judge to sign and date the   declaration;                (6)  a place to note the polling place at which the   declaration is signed; and                (7)  a place for the election judge to note which form   of identification prescribed by Subsection (b)(2) or (4) the voter   presented.          SECTION 3.09.  Sections 63.0101(a) and (b), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The following documentation is an acceptable form of   photo identification under this chapter:                (1)  a driver's license, election identification   certificate, or personal identification card issued to the voter    [person] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation;                (2)  a United States military identification card that   contains the voter's [person's] photograph that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation;                (3)  a United States citizenship certificate issued to   the voter [person] that contains the voter's [person's] photograph;                (4)  a United States passport book or card issued to the   voter [person] that has not expired or that expired no earlier than   four years before the date of presentation; [or]                (5)  a license to carry a handgun issued to the voter    [person] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation;                (6)  an official Native American tribal document that:                      (A)  contains the voter's photograph and address;   and                      (B)  is issued by a tribe that is federally   recognized and located in this state; or                (7)  any other official government document issued to   the voter and containing the voter's name, address, and photograph.          (b)  The following documentation is acceptable as proof of   identification under this chapter:                (1)  a government document that shows the name and   address of the voter, including the voter's voter registration   certificate;                (2)  one of the following documents that shows the name   and address of the voter:                      (A)  a copy of a current utility bill;                      (B)  a bank or credit union statement;                      (C)  a government check; or                      (D)  a paycheck or pension plan statement; [or]                (3)  a certified copy of a domestic birth certificate   or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of   law and establishes the voter's [person's] identity; or                (4)  two of the following documents issued or delivered   to the voter, one of which must contain the name and address of the   voter:                      (A)  a Medicare, Medicaid, or Department of   Veterans Affairs identification card or other health insurance   identification card;                      (B)  a Department of Defense identification card;                      (C)  a social security identification card;                      (D)  a label on a prescription drug container;                      (E)  an identity bracelet issued by a hospital or   long-term care facility;                      (F)  a credit or debit card;                      (G)  an identification card issued by an employer;                      (H)  a student identification card issued by a   public or private high school or institution of higher education;                      (I)  a library card;                      (J)  a Texas Department of Criminal Justice   document indicating release or parole;                      (K)  a fishing or hunting license;                      (L)  a lease or mortgage for real property;                      (M)  a motor vehicle title;                       (N)  an insurance certificate, policy   declaration, or other document demonstrating proof of insurance;                      (O)  a letter from a public or private school or   institution of higher education;                      (P)  a personal check;                      (Q)  an official Native American tribal document   that is issued by a tribe that is federally recognized and located   in this state;                      (R)  a blood donor card;                      (S)  a public transportation card;                       (T)  a property tax assessment;                      (U)  a form prescribed by the Internal Revenue   Service;                      (V)  a letter from a public conservator,   court-appointed guardian, or trustee;                      (W)  a letter of confirmation of residence, letter   of stay, admission form, or statement of benefits from:                            (i)  a student residence;                            (ii)  a nursing home or other long-term care   facility or a retirement center;                            (iii)  a shelter; or                             (iv)  a soup kitchen;                      (X)  a document listed in Subdivision (1), (2), or   (3); or                      (Y)  another government document containing the   voter's name.          SECTION 3.10.  Section 63.011(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  A form for an affidavit required by this section must be   printed on an envelope in which the provisional ballot voted by the   person may be placed and must include:                (1)  a space for entering the identification number of   the provisional ballot voted by the person; and                (2)  a space for an election officer to indicate   whether the person presented [a form of] identification required by   Section 63.001(b) in a form described by Section 63.0101.          SECTION 3.11.  Section 64.012, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:          (e)  It is an exception to the application of Subsection   (a)(1) that the person:                (1)  voted or attempted to vote a provisional ballot in   accordance with Section 63.011; and                (2)  did not know:                      (A)  of the particular circumstances that made the   person not eligible to vote in the election; or                      (B)  that those circumstances made the person not   eligible to vote in the election.          SECTION 3.12.  Section 65.0541(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A voter who is accepted for provisional voting under   Section 63.011 because the voter does not meet the identification   requirements of Section 63.001(b) may, not later than the sixth day   after the date of the election:                (1)  present [a form of] identification required by   Section 63.001(b) in a form described by Section 63.0101 to the   voter registrar for examination; or                (2)  execute an affidavit described by Section   65.054(b)(2)(B) or (C) in the presence of the voter registrar.          SECTION 3.13.  Sections 85.001(a) and (e), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The period for early voting by personal appearance   begins on the 17th day before election day and continues through the   fourth day before election day, except as otherwise provided by   this subchapter [section].          (e)  For an election held on the uniform election date in May   and any resulting runoff election, the period for early voting by   personal appearance begins on the 12th day before election day and   continues through the fourth day before election day, except as   otherwise provided by this subchapter.          SECTION 3.14.  Section 85.006, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 85.006.  EXTENDED VOTING [ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY]. (a)   Except as provided by Subsection (b), the authority ordering an   election may order early voting by personal appearance at the main   early voting polling place to be conducted:                (1)  on one or more Saturdays or Sundays during the   early voting period; or                (2)  during an early voting period extended from the   fourth day before election day for any number of consecutive days up   to and including the day before election day.          (b)  In an election in which a county clerk is the early   voting clerk under Section 83.002, only the early voting clerk may   order extended voting [on a Saturday or Sunday]. The clerk must do   so by written order.          (c)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, the [The]   authority ordering extended voting [on a Saturday or Sunday] shall   determine the hours during which voting is to be conducted.          (d)  The authority authorized to order extended early voting   [on a Saturday or Sunday] under Subsection (a) or (b) shall order   [the] voting on a Saturday or Sunday under the applicable   subsection on receipt of a written request submitted by at least 15   registered voters of the territory covered by the election. The   request must be submitted in time to enable compliance with Section   85.007. The authority is not required to order the voting on a   particular date specified by the request but shall order the voting   on at least one Saturday if a Saturday is requested and on at least   one Sunday if a Sunday is requested.          (e)  In a primary election or the general election for state   and county officers in a county with a population of 55,000 or more,   the early voting clerk shall order voting by personal appearance at   the main early voting polling place to be conducted on the last   Saturday of the early voting period for at least 12 hours, except   that voting may not be conducted earlier than 6 a.m. or later than   10 p.m., and on the last Sunday of the early voting period for at   least six hours, except that voting may not be conducted earlier   than 9 a.m. or later than 10 p.m. The early voting clerk shall order   voting to be conducted at those times in those elections in a county   with a population under 55,000 on receipt of a written request for   those hours submitted by at least 15 registered voters of the   county. The request must be submitted in time to enable compliance   with Section 85.007. This subsection supersedes any provision of   this subchapter to the extent of any conflict.          (f)  An authority authorized to order extended early voting   under Subsection (a) or (b) that orders the voting during an   extended early voting period shall order personal appearance voting   at the main early voting polling place to be conducted for at least   12 hours on any weekday or Saturday and for at least five hours on   any Sunday of the extended early voting period.          SECTION 3.15.  Sections 85.007(a) and (b), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The election order and the election notice must state:                (1)  the date that early voting will begin if under   Section 85.001(d) the early voting period is to begin later than the   prescribed date;                (2)  the regular dates and hours that voting will be   conducted under Section 85.005(b); and                (3)  the dates and hours that extended voting [on   Saturday or Sunday] is ordered to be conducted under Section   85.006(a).          (b)  The early voting clerk shall post notice for each   election stating the dates and hours that extended voting [on a   Saturday or Sunday] is ordered to be conducted under Section   85.006(b).          SECTION 3.16.  Section 85.064, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (d) and adding Subsection (c) to read   as follows:          (b)  Early voting by personal appearance at each temporary   branch polling place shall be conducted on the days that voting is   required to be conducted at the main early voting polling place   under Section 85.005. The authority establishing the temporary   branch polling place shall determine the hours during which the   voting is to be conducted on those days. The authority shall order   voting to be conducted for the same number of hours that voting is   required to be conducted on those days at the main early voting   polling place under Section 85.005 on receipt of a written request   for those hours submitted by at least 15 registered voters of the   county. The request must be submitted in time to enable compliance   with Section 85.067 [and remain open for at least:                [(1)  eight hours each day; or                [(2)  three hours each day if the city or county clerk   does not serve as the early voting clerk for the territory holding   the election and the territory has fewer than 1,000 registered   voters].          (c)  Early voting by personal appearance at a temporary   branch polling place other than a temporary branch polling place   established under Section 85.062(d) may be conducted on any one or   more days and during any hours of the period for early voting by   personal appearance, as determined by the authority establishing   the branch.          (d)  The authority authorized under Section 85.006 to order   extended early voting [on a Saturday or Sunday] may also order, in   the manner prescribed by that section, extended early voting to be   conducted [on a Saturday or Sunday] at any one or more of the   temporary branch polling places. In addition, the early voting   clerk of a county covered by Section 85.006(e) shall order such   voting in accordance with that subsection at each temporary branch   polling place established under Section 85.062(d).          SECTION 3.17.  Section 85.065(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), voting at a   temporary branch polling place may be conducted on any days and   during any hours of the period for early voting by personal   appearance, as determined by the authority establishing the branch.   The authority authorized under Section 85.006 to order extended   early voting [on a Saturday or Sunday] may also order, in the manner   prescribed by that section, extended early voting to be conducted   [on a Saturday or Sunday] at any one or more of the temporary branch   polling places.          SECTION 3.18.  Section 85.068(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The early voting clerk shall post notice for each   election stating any dates and the hours that extended voting [on   Saturday or Sunday] will be conducted under Section 85.064(d) or   85.065(b), if the early voting clerk is a county clerk or city   secretary under Section 83.002 or 83.005.          SECTION 3.19.  Section 87.0241, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as   follows:          (b)  The board may not count early voting ballots until:                (1)  the polls open on election day; or                (2)  in an election conducted by an authority of a   county with a population of 100,000 or more, or conducted jointly   with such a county or conducted with such a county through a   contract for election services, the time the polls close on the   fourth day before election day [end of the period for early voting   by personal appearance].          (b-1)  The board may not count early voting ballots voted by   personal appearance after the fourth day before election day until   the end of the extended early voting period.          SECTION 3.20.  Section 213.013, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:          (d-1)  In any recount, a watcher appointed under Section   33.009 may be present.          SECTION 3.21.  Section 662.003(b), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  A state holiday includes only the following days:                (1)  the 19th day of January, "Confederate Heroes Day,"   in honor of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate   heroes;                (2)  the second day of March, "Texas Independence Day";                (3)  the 21st day of April, "San Jacinto Day";                (4)  the 19th day of June, "Emancipation Day in Texas,"   in honor of the emancipation of the slaves in Texas in 1865;                (5)  the 27th day of August, "Lyndon Baines Johnson   Day," in observance of the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson;                (6)  the Friday after Thanksgiving Day;                (7)  the 24th day of December; [and]                (8)  the 26th day of December; and                (9)  the first Tuesday after the first Monday in   November of an even-numbered year.          SECTION 3.22.  Section 662.021, Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 662.021.  DATES OF HOLIDAYS.  A legal holiday includes   only the following days:                (1)  a national holiday under Section 662.003(a); and                (2)  a state holiday under Sections 662.003(b)(1)   through (6) and Section 662.003(b)(9).   ARTICLE 4.  ACCOMMODATING VOTERS          SECTION 4.01.  Section 63.0015, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to   read as follows:          (b)  An election officer shall [may] accept a person with a   mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to   ambulate who is offering to vote before accepting others offering   to vote at the polling place who arrived before the person.          (c)  Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility   problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate   shall be posted:                (1)  at [one or more locations in] each entrance to a   polling place where it can be read by persons waiting to vote;                (2)  on the Internet website of the secretary of state;   and                (3)  on each Internet website relating to elections   maintained by a county.          (d)  The notice required by Subsection (c) must read:   "Pursuant to Section 63.0015, Election Code, an election officer   shall [may] give voting order priority to individuals with a   mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to   move around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility   problem may also, at the individual's request, be given voting   order priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you   for voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use   of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the   ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic   condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the   inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a   brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device."          (f)  All procedures and accommodations available for voters   with disabilities, including voting under Section 64.009, shall be   posted in an accessible manner on the county clerk's Internet   website.          SECTION 4.02.  Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:          (a-1)  At each polling place two parking spaces shall be   reserved for voting under this section. The spaces may not be   parking spaces designated specifically for persons with   disabilities. The parking spaces must be clearly marked with a sign   as being for use by a voter who is unable to enter the polling place.   The sign must have a telephone number that a voter may call or text   to request assistance from election officials at the polling place.          SECTION 4.03.  Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 84.0121 to read as follows:          Sec. 84.0121.  CLERK TO POST APPLICATION FORM ONLINE. (a)   The early voting clerk shall post the official application form for   an early voting ballot on the clerk's Internet website in a format   that allows a person to easily complete the application directly on   the website before printing.          (b)  The early voting clerk may use the application form   provided by the secretary of state under Section 84.013 or the early   voting clerk's own application form.          SECTION 4.04.  Section 84.013, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 84.013.  APPLICATION FORMS FURNISHED BY SECRETARY OF   STATE. (a) The secretary of state shall maintain a supply of the   official application forms for ballots to be voted by mail and shall   furnish the forms in reasonable quantities without charge to   individuals or organizations requesting them for distribution to   voters.          (b)  The secretary of state shall provide a printable   application for a ballot by mail in a format that complies with   Section 84.0121(a) to the early voting clerk for use under that   section.          SECTION 4.05.  Section 84.032(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  An applicant may submit a request after the close of   early voting by personal appearance by appearing in person and:                (1)  returning the ballot to be voted by mail to the   early voting clerk; or                (2)  executing an affidavit that the applicant:                      (A)  has not received the ballot to be voted by   mail;                      (B)  never requested a ballot to be voted by mail;   or                      (C)  was contacted regarding [received notice of]   a defect under Section 87.0271(b) [or (c)] or 87.0411(b) [or (c)].          SECTION 4.06.  Section 86.003, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as   follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (e) and Section   86.0031, the [The] balloting materials for voting by mail shall be   provided to the voter by mail. A ballot provided by any other method   may not be counted.          (e)  If a voter who applies for early voting by mail has a   sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from   appearing at the polling place on election day without a likelihood   of needing personal assistance or of injuring the voter's health,   or if the voter is expecting to give birth within three weeks before   or after election day, the balloting materials may be provided by   e-mail in PDF format, through a scanned format, or by any other   method of electronic transmission authorized by the secretary of   state. The secretary of state shall adopt procedures to implement   this subsection.          SECTION 4.07.  Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by   adding Section 86.0031 to read as follows:          Sec. 86.0031.  ELECTRONIC METHOD OF PROVIDING   BALLOT.  (a)  A voter voting by mail on the ground of absence from   the voter's county of residence may elect to receive the balloting   materials by electronic transmission on the voter's application for   an early voting ballot to be voted by mail.          (b)  Balloting materials to be sent by electronic   transmission under this section include:                (1)  the appropriate ballot;                (2)  ballot instructions, including instructions that   inform a voter that the ballot must be returned by mail to be   counted;                (3)  instructions prescribed by the secretary of state   on how to create a ballot envelope and carrier envelope or signature   sheet for the ballot; and                (4)  a list of certified write-in candidates, if   applicable.          (c)  The balloting materials may be provided by e-mail to the   voter in PDF format, through a scanned format, or by any other   method of electronic transmission authorized by the secretary of   state.          (d)  An e-mail address used under this section to request   balloting materials is confidential and does not constitute public   information for purposes of Chapter 552, Government Code. An early   voting clerk shall ensure that a voter's e-mail address provided   under this section is excluded from public disclosure.          (e)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to   implement this section.          SECTION 4.08.  Section 86.015(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  An online tool used under this section must:                (1)  for each election, record:                      (A)  each application for a ballot to be voted by   mail received by the clerk; and                      (B)  each carrier envelope sent to a voter by the   clerk;                (2)  for each carrier envelope, record or assign a   serially numbered and sequentially issued barcode or tracking   number that is unique to each envelope;                (3)  update the applicable Internet website as soon as   practicable after each of the following events occurs:                      (A)  receipt by the early voting clerk of the   person's application for a ballot to be voted by mail;                      (B)  acceptance or rejection by the early voting   clerk of the person's application for a ballot to be voted by mail;                      (C)  placement in the mail by the early voting   clerk of the person's official ballot;                      (D)  receipt by the early voting clerk of the   person's marked ballot; and                      (E)  acceptance or rejection by the early voting   ballot board of a person's marked ballot; and                (4)  allow a voter to:                      (A)  submit a statement of residency;                      (B)  provide any information with respect to a   witness;                      (C)  attest to a contested signature or provide a   signature for a carrier envelope certificate; and                      (D)  correct any other issue with an application   or ballot the secretary of state determines is appropriate to cure   using the online tool described by Subsection (a) [add or correct   information required under Section 84.002(a)(1-a) or Section   86.002(g)].          SECTION 4.09.  Section 87.0223(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  If the early voting clerk has provided a voter a ballot   to be voted by mail by both regular mail and electronic transmission   or e-mail under Chapter 101A or Subchapter C, Chapter 101, the clerk   may not deliver a jacket envelope containing the early voting   ballot voted by mail by the voter to the board until:                (1)  both ballots are returned; or                (2)  the deadline for returning marked ballots under   Section 86.007 has passed.          SECTION 4.10.  Section 87.0271, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 87.0271.  OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT DEFECT:  SIGNATURE   VERIFICATION COMMITTEE.  (a)  This section applies to an early   voting ballot voted by mail:                (1)  for which the voter did not sign the carrier   envelope certificate;                (2)  for which it cannot immediately be determined   whether the signature on the carrier envelope certificate is that   of the voter; or                (3)  [missing any required statement of residence;                [(4)  missing information or containing incorrect   information required under Section 84.002(a)(1-a) or Section   86.002; or                [(5)]  containing incomplete information with respect   to a witness.          (b)  Before deciding [Not later than the second business day   after a signature verification committee discovers a defect   described by Subsection (a) and before the committee decides]   whether to accept or reject a [timely delivered] ballot under   Section 87.027, a signature verification [the] committee shall   immediately contact [:                [(1)  determine if it would be possible for] the voter   or witness, as appropriate, to advise the voter or witness of the   defect.  The committee shall include detailed instructions   regarding how to correct the defect in person at the early voting   clerk's office [and return the carrier envelope before the time the   polls are required to close on election day; and                [(2)  return the carrier envelope to the voter by mail,   if the committee determines that it would be possible for the voter   to correct the defect and return the carrier envelope before the   time the polls are required to close on election day].          (c)  Subsection (b) does not apply if [If] the signature   verification committee determines [under Subsection (b)(1)] that   it would [not] be impossible [possible for the voter] to correct the   defect [and return the carrier envelope] before the fourth [time   the polls are required to close on election day, the committee may   notify the voter of the defect by telephone or e-mail and inform the   voter that the voter may request to have the voter's application to   vote by mail canceled in the manner described by Section 84.032 or   come to the early voting clerk's office in person not later than the   sixth] day after election day [to correct the defect].          (d)  [If the signature verification committee takes an   action described by Subsection (b) or (c), the committee must take   either action described by that subsection with respect to each   ballot in the election to which this section applies.          [(e)  A poll watcher is entitled to observe an action taken   under Subsection (b) or (c).          [(f)]  The secretary of state may adopt rules [prescribe any   procedures necessary] to implement this section.          [(g)  Notwithstanding any other law, a ballot may not be   finally rejected for a reason listed in Section 87.041(b)(1), (2),   or (6) before the seventh day after election day.]          SECTION 4.11.  Section 87.0411, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 87.0411.  OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT DEFECT:  EARLY VOTING   BALLOT BOARD.  (a)  This section applies to an early voting ballot   voted by mail:                (1)  for which the voter did not sign the carrier   envelope certificate;                (2)  for which it cannot immediately be determined   whether the signature on the carrier envelope certificate is that   of the voter; or                (3)  [missing any required statement of residence;                [(4)  missing information or containing incorrect   information required under Section 84.002(a)(1-a) or Section   86.002; or                [(5)]  containing incomplete information with respect   to a witness.          (b)  Before deciding [Not later than the second business day   after an early voting ballot board discovers a defect described by   Subsection (a) and before the board decides] whether to accept or   reject a [timely delivered] ballot under Section 87.041, the board   shall immediately contact[:                [(1)  determine if it would be possible for] the voter   or witness, as appropriate, to advise the voter or witness of the   defect.  The board shall include detailed instructions regarding   how to correct the defect in person at the early voting clerk's   office [and return the carrier envelope before the time the polls   are required to close on election day; and                [(2)  return the carrier envelope to the voter by mail,   if the board determines that it would be possible for the voter to   correct the defect and return the carrier envelope before the time   the polls are required to close on election day].          (c)  Subsection (b) does not apply if [If] the early voting   ballot board determines [under Subsection (b)(1)] that it would   [not] be impossible [possible for the voter] to correct the defect   [and return the carrier envelope] before the fourth [time the polls   are required to close on election day, the board may notify the   voter of the defect by telephone or e-mail and inform the voter that   the voter may request to have the voter's application to vote by   mail canceled in the manner described by Section 84.032 or come to   the early voting clerk's office in person not later than the sixth]   day after election day [to correct the defect].          (d)  [If the early voting ballot board takes an action   described by Subsection (b) or (c), the board must take either   action described by that subsection with respect to each ballot in   the election to which this section applies.          [(e)  A poll watcher is entitled to observe an action taken   under Subsection (b) or (c).          [(f)]  The secretary of state may adopt rules [prescribe any   procedures necessary] to implement this section.          [(g)  Notwithstanding any other law, a ballot may not be   finally rejected for a reason listed in Section 87.041(b)(1), (2),   or (6) before the seventh day after election day.]          SECTION 4.12.  Section 87.0431(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  Not later than the 10th day after election day, the   presiding judge of the early voting ballot board shall deliver   written notice of the reason for the rejection of a ballot to the   voter at the residence address on the ballot application. If the   ballot was transmitted to the voter by electronic transmission or    e-mail under Chapter 101A or Subchapter C, Chapter 101, the   presiding judge shall also provide the notice to the e-mail address   to which the ballot was sent.          SECTION 4.13.  Subtitle B, Title 7, Election Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 101A to read as follows:   CHAPTER 101A. ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF EARLY VOTING BALLOTING   MATERIALS TO VOTERS WITH A DISABILITY          Sec. 101A.001.  ELIGIBILITY; REQUEST FOR BALLOTING   MATERIALS. (a)  A person may request from the appropriate early   voting clerk electronic transmission of balloting materials under   this chapter if the person:                (1)  submits an application for an early voting ballot   to be voted by mail; and                (2)  either:                      (A)  has a sickness or physical condition that   prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election   day without a likelihood of needing personal assistance or of   injuring the voter's health; or                      (B)  is expecting to give birth within three weeks   before or after election day.          (b)  The early voting clerk shall grant a request made under   this section for the electronic transmission of balloting materials   if:                (1)  the requestor has submitted a valid application   for a ballot to be voted by mail;                (2)  the requestor indicates on the application that   the requestor meets the requirements under Subsection (a)(2);                (3)  the requestor provides an e-mail address with the   request;                (4)  the request is submitted on or before the seventh   day before the date of the election; and                (5)  a marked ballot for the election from the   requestor has not been received by the early voting clerk.          Sec. 101A.002.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF E-MAIL ADDRESS. An   e-mail address used under this chapter to request balloting   materials is confidential and does not constitute public   information for purposes of Chapter 552, Government Code. An early   voting clerk shall ensure that a voter's e-mail address provided   under this chapter is excluded from public disclosure.          Sec. 101A.003.  ELECTIONS COVERED. Balloting materials may   be sent electronically under this chapter for any election in which   the voter who registers under this chapter is eligible to vote.          Sec. 101A.004.  BALLOTING MATERIALS TO BE SENT   ELECTRONICALLY.  Balloting materials to be sent electronically   under this chapter include:                (1)  the appropriate ballot;                (2)  ballot instructions, including instructions that   inform a voter that the ballot must be returned by mail to be   counted;                (3)  instructions prescribed by the secretary of state   on how to create a carrier envelope or signature sheet for the   ballot; and                (4)  a list of certified write-in candidates, if   applicable.          Sec. 101A.005.  METHODS OF TRANSMISSION TO VOTER. (a)  The   balloting materials may be provided to the voter using a method of   electronic transmission authorized by the secretary of state.          (b)  The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for   the retransmission of balloting materials following an   unsuccessful transmission of the materials to a voter.          Sec. 101A.006.  FORM OF BALLOT. (a) The balloting materials   provided electronically to a voter must allow a voter with a visual   impairment or print disability to electronically receive and mark   the voter's ballot using screen reader assistive technology.          (b)  The secretary of state shall develop instructions   regarding the use and availability of the technology described by   Subsection (a), including instructions on making the technology   available to voters and instructions for counting ballots completed   using the technology.          Sec. 101A.007.  RETURN OF BALLOT. (a)  A voter who receives   a ballot under this chapter must return the ballot in the same   manner as required under Section 101.057 except that a voter who   completes a signature sheet is not required to complete a carrier   envelope. Except as provided by Chapter 105, the voter may not   return the ballot by electronic transmission.          (b)  A ballot that is not returned as required by Subsection   (a) is considered a ballot not timely returned and is not sent to   the early voting ballot board for processing.          (c)  The deadline for the return of a ballot under this   section is the same deadline as provided in Section 86.007.          Sec. 101A.008.  RULES. The secretary of state may adopt   rules as necessary to implement this chapter.          SECTION 4.14.  Section 104.004(e), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (e)  If the voter is physically unable to enter the early   voting polling place without personal assistance or a likelihood of   injuring the voter's health, the clerk shall deliver the balloting   materials to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb   following the procedures prescribed by Section 64.009.   ARTICLE 5.  INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION          SECTION 5.01.  Subtitle A, Title 3, Government Code, is   amended by adding Chapter 307 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 307. INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION          Sec. 307.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                (1)  "Commission" means the independent redistricting   commission established under Article XVIII, Texas Constitution.                (2)  "Redistricting plan" has the meaning assigned by   Section 1, Article XVIII, Texas Constitution.          Sec. 307.002.  OATH.  Before serving on the commission, each   person appointed shall take and subscribe to the constitutional   oath of office.          Sec. 307.003.  ELIGIBILITY.  The eligibility of a person to   serve on the commission is as prescribed by Article XVIII, Texas   Constitution.          Sec. 307.004.  OPERATION OF COMMISSION.  (a) The   legislature shall appropriate sufficient money for the   compensation and payment of the expenses of the commission members   and any staff employed by the commission.          (b)  The commission shall be provided access to statistical   or other information compiled by the state or its political   subdivisions as necessary for the commission's duties.          (c)  The Texas Legislative Council shall provide technical   staff and clerical services at the commission's request.          Sec. 307.005.  DUTIES.  The commission shall:                (1)  adopt rules to carry out the constitutional duties   of the commission and to administer this chapter; and                (2)  act as the legislature's recipient of the official   census and geographic data from the United States Census Bureau   pursuant to the federal decennial census.          Sec. 307.006.  REDISTRICTING PLAN; FORM.  The commission   shall include with each report under Section 49(2), Article XVIII,   Texas Constitution:                (1)  for each district in the redistricting plan, the   total population and the percentage deviation from the average   district population;                (2)  an explanation of the criteria used in developing   the redistricting plan with a justification of any population   deviation in a district from the average district population;                (3)  a map or maps of all the districts; and                (4)  the estimated cost to be incurred by the counties   for changes in county election precinct boundaries required to   conform to the districts adopted by the commission.          Sec. 307.007.  REDISTRICTING PLAN STANDARDS.  (a)  A   redistricting plan adopted by the commission must conform to the   standards provided by Article XVIII, Texas Constitution.          (b)  In developing a redistricting plan, the commission may   not consider:                (1)  the potential effects of the districts on   incumbents or potential candidates for office;                (2)  the residence of any elected official or potential   candidate for office;                (3)  any information involving the past political   performance of a specific geographic area, except as necessary to   comply with federal law or Article XVIII, Texas Constitution; and                (4)  data concerning party affiliation or voting   history, except as necessary to comply with federal law or Article   XVIII, Texas Constitution.          Sec. 307.008.  DISCLOSURE OF DATA REQUIRED.  The commission   shall make all redistricting plans submitted to the commission,   including the commission's preliminary redistricting plans,   hearing transcripts, minutes of meetings, maps, narrative   descriptions of proposed districts, and other data used by the   commission available to the public through the commission's   Internet website and other appropriate means.          Sec. 307.009.  SUBMISSION OF PLAN.  On adoption of a   preliminary or final redistricting plan by the commission, the   commission shall submit the redistricting plan to the governor, the   secretary of state, and the presiding officer of each house of the   legislature.          Sec. 307.010.  OPERATIONS AFTER ADOPTION OF REDISTRICTING   PLANS.  (a) Following the adoption of all redistricting plans that   the commission is required to adopt, the commission shall reduce or   suspend its staff, contractors, and operations to the extent   practicable.          (b)  The commission shall prepare a financial statement   disclosing all expenditures made by the commission. The official   record of the commission must contain all relevant information   developed by the commission in carrying out its duties, including   maps, data, minutes of meetings, written communications, and other   information.          (c)  The secretary of state shall preserve the commission's   records as provided by Section 16, Article XVIII, Texas   Constitution.          (d)  Any unexpended money from an appropriation to the   commission reverts to the general revenue fund.          Sec. 307.011.  CHALLENGES TO REDISTRICTING PLAN.  After a   final redistricting plan is adopted by the commission, any person   aggrieved by the plan may file a petition with the supreme court   challenging the plan.          Sec. 307.012.  CONVENING OF COMMISSION FOR REAPPORTIONMENT   OF JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.  (a) If the Judicial Districts Board fails   to make a statewide reapportionment of judicial districts under   Subchapter F, Chapter 24, the commission shall convene on September   1 of the year provided by Section 7a(e), Article V, Texas   Constitution, to make the statewide reapportionment as required by   Section 24.946(a).          (b)  The commission shall complete the reapportionment of   judicial districts as soon as possible within the time provided by   Section 7a(e), Article V, Texas Constitution.          (c)  The commission's reapportionment of judicial districts   becomes effective as provided by Sections 24.948 and 24.949.          (d)  Following the effective date of a reapportionment of   judicial districts, the commission shall reduce or suspend its   operations to the extent practicable.          SECTION 5.02.  Section 42.032, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 42.032.  REDISTRICTING: BOUNDARY CHANGES. If changes in   county election precinct boundaries are necessary to give effect to   a redistricting plan under Article XVIII, [III, Section 28, of the]   Texas Constitution, each commissioners court shall order the   changes before October 1 of the year in which the redistricting is   done.          SECTION 5.03.  Section 24.945(e), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (e)  The legislature, the Judicial Districts Board, or the   independent redistricting commission [Legislative Redistricting   Board] may not redistrict the judicial districts to provide for any   judicial district smaller in size than an entire county except as   provided by this subsection. Judicial districts smaller in size   than the entire county may be created subsequent to a general   election in which a majority of the persons voting on the   proposition adopt the proposition "to allow the division of   ____________________ County into judicial districts composed of   parts of ____________________ County." A redistricting plan may   not be proposed or adopted by the legislature, the Judicial   Districts Board, or the independent redistricting commission   [Legislative Redistricting Board] in anticipation of a future   action by the voters of any county.          SECTION 5.04.  Section 24.946(a), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The board shall meet in accordance with its own rules.   The board shall meet at least once in each interim between regular   sessions of the legislature and shall exercise its reapportionment   powers only in the interims between regular legislative sessions.   Meetings of the board shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter   551, except as otherwise provided by this subchapter. A   reapportionment may not be ordered in the interim immediately   following a regular session of the legislature in which a valid and   subsisting statewide reapportionment of judicial districts is   enacted by the legislature. Unless the legislature enacts a   statewide reapportionment of the judicial districts following each   federal decennial census, the board shall convene not later than   the first Monday of June of the third year following the year in   which the federal decennial census is taken to make a statewide   reapportionment of the districts. The board shall complete its   work on the reapportionment and file its order with the secretary of   state not later than August 31 of the same year. If the Judicial   Districts Board fails to make a statewide apportionment by that   date, the independent redistricting commission [Legislative   Redistricting Board] established under [by] Article XVIII, [III,   Section 28, of the] Texas Constitution, shall make a statewide   reapportionment of the judicial districts not later than the 90th   [150th] day after the final day for the Judicial Districts Board to   make the reapportionment, and that apportionment takes effect as   provided by Sections 24.948 and 24.949.          SECTION 5.05.  Section 2058.002(a), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The legislature or the independent redistricting   commission established [Legislative Redistricting Board] under   Article XVIII, [III, Section 28, of the] Texas Constitution, may   officially recognize or act on a federal decennial census before   September 1 of the year after the calendar year during which the   census was taken.   ARTICLE 6. AGE OF VOTER          SECTION 6.01.  Section 13.001, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (d) and (e)   to read as follows:          (a)  To be eligible for registration as a voter in this   state, a person must:                (1)  except as provided by Subsection (d), be 18 years   of age or older;                (2)  be a United States citizen;                (3)  not have been determined by a final judgment of a   court exercising probate jurisdiction to be:                      (A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or                      (B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the   right to vote;                (4)  not have been finally convicted of a felony or, if   so convicted, must not currently be incarcerated for that offense   [have:                      [(A)  fully discharged the person's sentence,   including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or   completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or                      [(B)  been pardoned or otherwise released from the   resulting disability to vote]; and                (5)  be a resident of the county in which application   for registration is made.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), to [To] be   eligible to apply for registration, a person must, on the date the   registration application is submitted to the registrar, be at least   17 years [and 10 months] of age and satisfy the requirements of   Subsection (a) except for age.          (d)  A person who will be 18 years of age or older on the date   of the next general election for state and county officers is   eligible to register as a voter in this state for the purposes of   voting in the primary election to determine a political party's   nominees for the general election if the person satisfies the   requirements of Subsection (a) except for age. The secretary of   state shall prescribe procedures necessary to implement this   subsection.          (e)  The voter registrar may send a written notice to each   person who registers to vote under Subsection (d) stating that the   person is only eligible to vote in a primary election or runoff   primary election and that the person is not eligible to vote in any   other election until the person is 18 years of age. The notice may   list the elections in which the person is not eligible to vote.          SECTION 6.02.   Subchapter A, Chapter 172, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 172.005 to read as follows:          Sec. 172.005.  VOTING BY PERSON UNDER AGE 18.  (a)   Notwithstanding Section 11.001, a person may vote in a primary   election if the person:                (1)  will be 18 years of age or older on the date of the   subsequent general election for state and county officers; and                (2)  satisfies the requirements for being a qualified   voter except for age.          (b)  The secretary of state, after consulting with the state   chair of each political party required to make nominations by   primary election, shall prescribe the procedures necessary to   implement this section.   ARTICLE 7. REPEALER; TRANSITION; EFFECTIVE DATE          SECTION 7.01.  The following provisions of the Election Code   are repealed:                (1)  Section 43.007(i);                (2)  Section 82.001;                (3)  Section 82.002;                (4)  Section 82.003;                (5)  Section 82.004;                (6)  Section 82.008;                (7)  Sections 84.002(b), (b-1), and (c);                (8)  Section 84.0111;                (9)  Sections 86.001(f), (f-1), and (f-2);                (10)  Sections 86.002(g) and (h);                (11)  Section 87.041(d-1);                (12)  Section 112.002(b);                (13)  Section 276.016; and                (14)  Section 276.017.          SECTION 7.02.  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, 2024.          SECTION 7.03.  The changes in law made by this Act by adding   Sections 12.007 and 63.010, Election Code, and amending Section   85.031(a), Election Code, apply only to an election for which early   voting by personal appearance begins on or after February 1, 2024.          SECTION 7.04.  The change in law made to Section 13.046(h),   Election Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with the   2023-2024 school year.          SECTION 7.05.  Except as provided by this article, the   changes in law made by this Act apply only to an election ordered on   or after September 1, 2023.          SECTION 7.06.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b)   and (c) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.          (b)  Article 5 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2029, but   only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, establishing an independent   redistricting commission to establish districts for the election of   the members of the United States House of Representatives elected   from this state, the Texas Senate, and the Texas House of   Representatives is approved by the voters. If that proposed   constitutional amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act   has no effect.          (c)  Article 6 of this Act takes effect on the date on which   the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2023, authorizing a person who will be 18 years of   age or older on the date of the general election for state and   county officers to vote in the preceding primary election takes   effect. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act   has no effect.