89R3242 MLH-F     By: Bucy H.B. No. 2082       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   allow a person to complete an application for an early voting ballot   by mail over the Internet using the online tool described by Section   86.015. The online tool 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 online tool 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:                            (i)  a statement informing the applicant   that failure to furnish that information does not invalidate the   application; and                            (ii)  a statement prescribed by the   secretary of state explaining the benefits of furnishing that   information, including how that information assists the early   voting clerk;                      (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 86.011, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (e), (f), (g), (h),   (i), (j), and (k) to read as follows:          (d)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, if   the clerk receives a timely carrier envelope that does not fully   comply with the applicable requirements prescribed by this title,   the clerk, not later than the second day after the date the clerk   discovers the defect and before the time of delivery under   Subchapter B, Chapter 87, shall send [may deliver the carrier   envelope in person or by mail to] the voter a notice of the defect   and a corrective action form developed by the secretary of state   under Subsection (g) by mail or by common or contract carrier.          (e)  The early voting clerk shall include with the notice   delivered to the voter under Subsection (d):                (1)  a brief explanation of each defect in the   noncomplying ballot; and                (2)  a notice that the voter may:                      (A)  [and may receive, before the deadline, the   corrected carrier envelope from the voter, or the clerk may notify   the voter of the defect by telephone and advise the voter that the   voter may come to the clerk's office in person to correct the defect   or] cancel the voter's application to vote by mail in the manner   described by Section 84.032; or                      (B)  correct the defect in the voter's ballot by:                            (i)  submitting a corrective action form   developed and made available by the secretary of state under   Subsection (g) by mail or by common or contract carrier; or                            (ii)  coming to the early voting clerk's   office not later than the sixth day after election day [and vote on   election day].          (f)  If the early voting clerk determines that it would not   be possible for the voter to receive the notice of defect within a   reasonable time to correct the defect, the clerk 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, submit a   corrective action form developed by the secretary of state under   Subsection (g) by mail or by common or contract carrier, or come to   the early voting clerk's office in person not later than the sixth   day after election day to correct the defect.          (g)  The secretary of state shall develop a corrective action   form that may be completed and submitted to an early voting clerk   under this section to correct a defect.          (h)  If the early voting clerk takes an action described by   Subsection (d), the clerk must take either action described by that   subsection with respect to each ballot in the election to which this   section applies [procedures authorized by this subsection are used,   they must be applied uniformly to all carrier envelopes covered by   this subsection].          (i)  A poll watcher is entitled to observe an action taken   under Subsection (d) or (f) [the procedures under this subsection].          (j)  The early voting clerk shall:                (1)  in addition to sending the voter notice of the   defect under Subsection (d) or notifying the voter of the defect by   telephone or e-mail under Subsection (f), notify the voter of a   defect discovered under this section using the online tool   described by Section 86.015; and                (2)  if possible, permit the voter to correct a defect   using the online tool described by Section 86.015.          (k)  The secretary of state may prescribe any [other]   procedures necessary to implement this section [subsection   including requirements for posting notice of any deliveries].          SECTION 2.17.  Section 86.015(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The secretary of state shall develop or otherwise   provide an online tool to each early voting clerk on the secretary's   Internet website and on the county's Internet website if the early   voting clerk is the county clerk of a county that maintains an   Internet website that enables a person who submits an application   for a ballot to be voted by mail to:                (1)  track the location and status of the person's   application and ballot; and                (2)  receive notice of and, if possible, correct a   defect in the person's application and ballot under Sections   86.008(c-1), 86.011(j), 87.0271(e-1), and 87.0411(e-1).          SECTION 2.18.  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 2.19.  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 19.004(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), state funds   disbursed under this chapter may be used only to[:                [(1)]  defray expenses of the registrar's office in   connection with voter registration, including additional expenses   related to:                (1) [(A)]  implementation of the National Voter   Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. Section 20501 et seq.);                (2) [(B)]  complying with weekly updating   requirements; and                (3) [(C)]  the employment of temporary voter   registration personnel for not more than 39 weeks in a state fiscal   year[; and                [(2)  if the registrar's county has a population of less   than 55,000, defray the cost to the registrar's county of keeping   the polling places in the county open during the early voting period   as required under Sections 85.005(c), 85.006(e), and 85.064(d)].          SECTION 3.04.  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 3.05.  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.  Section 42.002, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  Subsection (a)(5) does not apply to an election held on   the May uniform election date by a political subdivision that:                (1)  conducts early voting by personal appearance:                      (A)  at 75 percent or more of its permanent or   temporary branch polling places on the same days and during the same   hours as voting is conducted at the main early voting polling place;   and                      (B)  at each remaining polling place for at least   two consecutive days of voting during the early voting period, and   for at least eight hours on each of the two consecutive days; or                (2)  has not established a permanent or temporary   branch early voting polling place.          SECTION 3.08.  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;                (2)  if at least 10,000 but fewer than 25,000 students   are enrolled at the institution, two locations; or                (3)  if at least 25,000 students are enrolled at the   institution, three locations.          SECTION 3.09.  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 3.10.  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 identification card or   tribal document that:                      (A)  contains the voter's photograph and address;   and                      (B)  is issued by a tribal organization or by a   tribe that is federally recognized and located in this state;                (7)  an identification card issued by a public or   private institution of higher education located in this state that   contains the voter's photograph; or                (8)  an identification card issued by a state agency of   this state that contains the voter's 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 3.11.  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 3.12.  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 85.005(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  In a county with a population of 55,000 or more,   voting [Voting] in a primary election or the general election for   state and county officers shall be conducted at the main early   voting polling place for at least 12 consecutive hours on each   weekday of the last week of the early voting period, and the voting   in a special election ordered by the governor shall be conducted at   the main early voting polling place for at least 12 consecutive   hours on each of the last two days of the early voting   period.  Voting under this subsection may not be conducted earlier   than 6 a.m. or later than 10 p.m. Voting shall be conducted in   accordance with this subsection in those elections in a county with   a population of less than 55,000 on receipt by the early voting   clerk of a written request for the extended 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.          SECTION 3.15.  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 consecutive   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 consecutive 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 3.16.  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 3.17.  Section 85.062, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:          (e)  In an election covered by Subsection (d), a temporary   branch polling place that is movable may be established only with   the approval of the county clerk. If a movable temporary branch   polling place is established on the request of a political party,   each other political party whose nominee for governor in the most   recent gubernatorial general election received more than 10 percent   of the total number of votes received by all candidates for governor   in the election is entitled to establishment of such a polling   place. The election officers serving a polling place covered by   this subsection must be affiliated or aligned with different   political parties to the extent possible. The secretary of state,   after consulting the chair of each affected political party, shall   prescribe the procedures necessary to implement this subsection.          SECTION 3.18.  Section 85.064, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 85.064.  DAYS AND HOURS FOR VOTING: TEMPORARY BRANCH IN   POPULOUS COUNTY. (a) This section applies only to an election in   which the territory served by the early voting clerk is situated in   a county with a population of 100,000 or more. In an election in   which the territory served by the clerk is situated in more than one   county, this section applies if the sum of the populations of the   counties is 100,000 or more.          (b)  Early voting by personal appearance at each temporary   branch polling place established under Section 85.062(d) 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 [Section 85.006(e)] at   each temporary branch polling place established under Section   85.062(d).          SECTION 3.19.  Subchapter C, Chapter 85, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 85.065 to read as follows:          Sec. 85.065.  DAYS AND HOURS FOR VOTING: TEMPORARY BRANCH IN   LESS POPULOUS COUNTY. (a) This section applies only to an election   in which the territory served by the early voting clerk is situated   in a county with a population of less than 100,000.  In an election   in which the territory served by the clerk is situated in more than   one county, this section applies if the sum of the populations of   the counties is less than 100,000.          (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 may also order, in the manner prescribed by that   section, extended early voting to be conducted at any one or more of   the temporary branch polling places.          (c)  Voting at a temporary branch polling place must be   conducted on at least two consecutive business days and for at least   eight consecutive hours on each of those days.          (d)  The schedules for conducting voting are not required to   be uniform among the temporary branch polling places.          SECTION 3.20.  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 3.21.  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 3.22.  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 3.23.  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.          SECTION 3.24.  Chapter 276, Election Code, is amended by   adding Section 276.020 to read as follows:          Sec. 276.020.  DOOR TO DOOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND POLITICAL   MESSAGING.  (a) In this section, "residential unit" includes a   single-family house, a single-family house located in a residential   subdivision or housing development, an apartment, a condominium, or   another unit in a multifamily residential structure.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a political   subdivision, property owners' association, homeowners'    association, or property manager may not adopt or enforce a rule,   order, ordinance, or policy that prevents an individual from   knocking on the front door of a residential unit, ringing the   doorbell of the unit, or leaving a pamphlet, flier, or other form of   written communication at the unit for the purpose of:                (1)  assisting an occupant of the unit with registering   to vote; or                (2)  communicating to an occupant of the unit support   or opposition for:                      (A)  a candidate for nomination or election to   public office or office of a political party;                      (B)  a political party; or                      (C)  a measure, as defined by Section 251.001.          (c)  A political subdivision, property owners' association,   homeowners' association, or property manager may adopt and enforce   a reasonable restriction on the time, place, or manner of an   activity described by Subsection (b).          (d)  A peace officer, as that term is described by Article   2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or private party may not prevent   an individual from engaging in an activity described by Subsection   (b) unless the officer or party reasonably believes that the   activity poses a threat to a person or property or is in violation   of a statute, ordinance, order, rule, or policy.          SECTION 3.25.  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.  Chapter 81, Election Code, is amended by   adding Section 81.006 to read as follows:          Sec. 81.006.  ACCESSIBLE ABSENTEE BALLOT SYSTEM. (a) A   person eligible for early voting by mail under Section 101.001 as a   person described by Section 101.001(2)(A) may cast a ballot using   an accessible absentee mail system, notwithstanding any other   provision of this title.          (b)  An accessible absentee mail system must be an electronic   system, including software, used for the sole purpose of enabling   any voter, including a voter who has a disability, to mark the   voter's ballot and print and submit the ballot in the manner   required by law for a ballot marked by the voter.          (c)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe   procedures for the implementation of this section.          SECTION 4.02.  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 4.03.  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 4.04.  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 4.05.  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 4.06.  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 Subchapter C, Chapter 101, or Chapter 101A, 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 4.07.  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 Subchapter C, Chapter 101, or Chapter 101A, the   presiding judge shall also provide the notice to the e-mail address   to which the ballot was sent.          SECTION 4.08.  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.   ARTICLE 5.  INDEPENDENT CITIZEN REDISTRICTING COMMISSION          SECTION 5.01.  The heading to Title 5, Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:   TITLE 5. OPEN GOVERNMENT; ETHICS; REDISTRICTING          SECTION 5.02.  Title 5, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subtitle C to read as follows:   SUBTITLE C. REDISTRICTING   CHAPTER 581. INDEPENDENT CITIZEN REDISTRICTING COMMISSION   SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS          Sec. 581.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Census year" means a calendar year in which the   United States decennial census is taken.                (2)  "Commission" means the Independent Citizen   Redistricting Commission.                (3)  "Immediate family member" means a person's spouse,   parent, child, sibling, in-law, or other individual with whom the   person has a bona fide family relationship established through   blood or legal relation.                (4)  "Majority party" means, with respect to a   commission member, the political party with the most total votes   cast in the four statewide primary elections preceding the member's   appointment.                (5)  "Minority party" means, with respect to a   commission member, the political party with the second highest   number of total votes cast in the four statewide primary elections   preceding the member's appointment.                (6)  "Statewide primary election" means an election   held by a political party to select its nominee for governor or for   president of the United States. The term does not include a runoff   primary election.          Sec. 581.002.  REDISTRICTING AUTHORITY.  (a)  The   Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission exercises the   legislative authority of this state to adopt redistricting plans   establishing or modifying district boundaries for the election of   the members of:                (1)  the United States House of Representatives elected   from this state;                (2)  the Texas Senate;                (3)  the Texas House of Representatives; and                (4)  the State Board of Education.          (b)  A plan for district boundaries may be established or   modified only by the commission as provided by this chapter.   SUBCHAPTER B. MEMBERSHIP; POWERS AND DUTIES          Sec. 581.051.  COMMISSION.  (a)  Not later than December 31   of each census year, the members of the Independent Citizen   Redistricting Commission shall be appointed and the commission   shall commence the redistricting process for the election of the   members of the United States House of Representatives elected from   this state, the Texas Senate, the Texas House of Representatives,   and the State Board of Education in connection with the census taken   that year.          (b)  The commission members shall:                (1)  conduct an open and transparent process enabling   full public consideration of, and comment on, the drawing of   district boundaries;                (2)  draw district boundaries according to the   redistricting criteria specified in this chapter; and                (3)  conduct themselves with integrity and fairness.          (c)  The selection process for commission members is   designed to produce a commission that is independent from   legislative influence and reasonably representative of this   state's diversity.          (d)  The commission consists of 14 members as follows:                (1)  five majority party members, each of whom:                      (A)  voted in at least two of the statewide   primary elections in the five years preceding the member's   appointment held by the majority party;                      (B)  did not vote in any of the four statewide   primary elections preceding the member's appointment held by a   political party other than the majority party; and                      (C)  voted in at least two of the three general   elections preceding the member's appointment in which the office of   governor or president of the United States appeared on the ballot;                (2)  five minority party members who:                      (A)  voted in at least two of the statewide   primary elections in the five years preceding the member's   appointment held by the minority party;                      (B)  did not vote in any of the four statewide   primary elections preceding the member's appointment held by a   political party other than the minority party; and                      (C)  voted in at least two of the three general   elections preceding the member's appointment in which the office of   governor or president of the United States appeared on the ballot;   and                (3)  four independent members who:                      (A)  did not vote in any statewide primary   elections in the five years preceding the member's appointment; and                      (B)  voted in at least two of the three general   elections preceding the member's appointment in which the office of   governor or president of the United States appeared on the ballot.          Sec. 581.052.  TERM OF OFFICE.  The term of office of each   commission member expires at the time the first commission member   is appointed in the next census year.          Sec. 581.053.  QUORUM AND VOTING.  Nine commission members   constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of at least nine   commission members is required for any official commission action.   Each final redistricting map must be approved by the affirmative   vote of at least nine commission members, including at least three   majority party members, at least three minority party members, and   at least three independent members, as provided by Section   581.051(d).          Sec. 581.054.  PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.  A commission member   is ineligible for a period of 10 years beginning on the date of   appointment to hold a federal, state, or county office elected from   this state. A commission member is ineligible for a period of five   years beginning on the date of appointment to:                (1)  hold an appointed federal office representing this   state;                (2)  hold an appointed state or local office in this   state;                (3)  serve as a paid employee of or as a paid consultant   to:                      (A)  a member of the United States Congress   elected from this state;                      (B)  the legislature; or                      (C)  a member of the legislature; or                (4)  register as a lobbyist in this state.          Sec. 581.055.  APPLICATIONS. (a) Not later than January 1   of each census year, the state auditor shall initiate an   application process for commission members.          (b)  The process must be open to all registered voters of   this state and promote a diverse and qualified applicant pool.          Sec. 581.056.  APPLICANT REVIEW PANEL. (a) The state   auditor shall establish an applicant review panel consisting of   three interested citizens to screen applicants. The state auditor   shall randomly draw the names of three interested citizens from a   pool consisting of all citizens who have applied under procedures   established by the state auditor to serve on the applicant review   panel. The state auditor shall draw until the names of three   interested citizens have been drawn, including:                (1)  one who would qualify as a majority party member of   the commission under Section 581.051(d)(1);                (2)  one who would qualify as a minority party member of   the commission under Section 581.051(d)(2); and                (3)  one who would qualify as an independent member of   the commission under Section 581.051(d)(3).          (b)  After the drawing under Subsection (a), the state   auditor shall notify the three citizens whose names have been drawn   that they have been selected to serve on the panel. If any of the   three citizens decline to serve on the panel, the state auditor   shall resume the random drawing until three citizens who meet the   requirements of Subsection (a) have agreed to serve on the panel.          (c)  An individual may not serve on the panel if the   individual has a conflict of interest described by Section 581.057.          Sec. 581.057.  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. (a) The state auditor   shall remove an applicant with a conflict of interest from the   applicant pool, including an applicant:                (1)  who at any point during the 10 years preceding the   application date:                      (A)  was appointed or elected to, or was a   candidate for, federal or state office;                      (B)  served as an officer, employee, or paid   consultant of a political party or of the campaign committee of a   candidate for elective federal or state office;                      (C)  served as an elected or appointed member of a   political party's executive committee;                      (D)  was a registered lobbyist;                      (E)  served as a paid staff member for the United   States Congress; or                      (F)  contributed at least $2,000 or the amount   provided by Subsection (b) to any congressional or state candidate   for elective public office in any year;                (2)  with an immediate family member who would be   disqualified as an applicant under Subdivision (1); or                (3)  who is an employee of, a consultant to, party to a   contract with, or an immediate family member of the governor, a   member of the legislature, or a member of the United States   Congress.          (b)  On January 1 of each year ending in the numeral 9, the   contribution amount prescribed by Subsection (a)(1)(F) is   increased or decreased by an amount equal to the amount prescribed   by that paragraph on December 31 of the preceding year multiplied by   the percentage increase or decrease during the preceding decade in   the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City   Average, as published by the United States Bureau of Labor   Statistics or its successor in function.          Sec. 581.058.  SELECTION OF APPLICANT SUBPOOLS. (a) After   removing individuals with conflicts of interest from the applicant   pool under Section 581.057, the state auditor shall, not later than   August 1 of each census year, publicize the names of individuals in   the applicant pool.          (b)  From the applicant pool described by Subsection (a), the   applicant review panel shall select:                (1)  a majority subpool consisting of 20 of the most   qualified applicants who would qualify as majority party members   under Section 581.051(d)(1);                (2)  a minority subpool consisting of 20 of the most   qualified applicants who would qualify as minority party members   under Section 581.051(d)(2); and                (3)  an independent subpool consisting of 20 of the   most qualified applicants who would qualify as independent members   under Section 581.051(d)(3).          (c)  The applicant review panel shall select the members of   the applicant subpools based on relevant analytical skills, ability   to be impartial, and appreciation for this state's diverse   demographics and geography.          (d)  Not later than October 1 of each census year, the   applicant review panel shall present the members of the applicant   subpools to the caucus leaders of the majority party and minority   party of each house of the legislature as described by Section   581.059.          (e)  Before presenting the applicant subpools as provided by   Subsection (d), a member of the applicant review panel may not   communicate with:                (1)  a member, or a representative of a member, of the   United States Congress, the Texas Legislature, or the State Board   of Education about any matter related to the selection process; or                (2)  a member of the applicant pool.          Sec. 581.059.  STRIKES BY CAUCUS LEADERS. (a) Not later   than November 15 of each census year, the caucus leaders of the   majority party and minority party of each house of the legislature   may each strike up to two applicants from each applicant subpool   under Section 581.058(b), for a total of eight possible strikes per   applicant subpool.          (b)  After all strikes have been made as provided by   Subsection (a), the caucus leaders shall present the remaining   members of each applicant subpool to the state auditor.          Sec. 581.060.  DRAWING TO SELECT FIRST EIGHT COMMISSION   MEMBERS. Not later than November 20 of each census year, the state   auditor shall select the first eight members of the commission by   randomly drawing:                (1)  three applicants from the majority subpool who   were not struck under Section 581.059;                (2)  three applicants from the minority subpool who   were not struck under Section 581.059; and                (3)  two applicants from the independent subpool who   were not struck under Section 581.059.          Sec. 581.061.  APPOINTMENT OF REMAINING COMMISSION MEMBERS.   (a) Not later than December 31 of each census year, the eight   commission members selected under Section 581.060 shall review the   remaining names in each applicant subpool and appoint to the   commission:                (1)  two remaining applicants from the majority subpool   who were not struck under Section 581.059;                (2)  two remaining applicants from the minority subpool   who were not struck under Section 581.059; and                (3)  two remaining applicants from the independent   subpool who were not struck under Section 581.059.          (b)  An appointment under Subsection (a) must be approved by   at least five affirmative votes of commission members selected   under Section 581.060, including at least two votes of commission   members drawn from the majority subpool, at least two votes of   commission members drawn from the minority subpool, and at least   one vote of a commission member drawn from the independent subpool.          (c)  In making appointments under Subsection (a), the   commission members shall ensure that the commission reflects this   state's diversity, including racial, ethnic, geographic, and   gender diversity. However, the legislature does not intend that   formulas or specific ratios be applied for this purpose.          (d)  Appointments under Subsection (a) shall also be made   based on relevant analytical skills and the ability to be   impartial.   SUBCHAPTER C. ORGANIZATION OF COMMISSION          Sec. 581.101.  OFFICERS. The commission shall select by a   vote of at least two-thirds of its members one member as chair and   one member as vice chair. The chair and vice chair may not both be   majority party members, minority party members, or independent   members as described by Section 581.051(d).          Sec. 581.102.  REMOVAL OF COMMISSION MEMBER. (a) After   having been served written notice and provided with an opportunity   for a response, a commission member may be removed by the governor   with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the senate for   substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or   inability to discharge the duties of office.          (b)  A commission member removed for substantial neglect of   duty or gross misconduct in office may be referred to the attorney   general for criminal investigation or to an appropriate   administrative agency for investigation.          Sec. 581.103.  VACANCY. (a) A vacancy on the commission   shall be filled, not later than the 30th day after the date the   vacancy occurs, by appointment by the commission of a remaining   applicant who was not struck under Section 581.059 from the same   applicant subpool as the vacating member.          (b)  If a vacancy on the commission occurs and no applicant   from the same applicant subpool as the vacating member is available   for appointment to the commission, the state auditor and an   applicant review panel shall solicit and select an appropriate   number of new applicants for the applicable subpool using, to the   extent practicable, the procedures provided by Sections 581.055,   581.056, 581.057, and 581.058(a)-(c) but disregarding the   deadlines provided by those sections. The commission shall fill the   vacancy as soon as practicable by appointment of one of the new   applicants described by this subsection.          Sec. 581.104.  BUDGET.  The legislature may appropriate to   the state auditor, the secretary of state, and the commission   amounts sufficient to implement the redistricting process required   by this chapter.   SUBCHAPTER D. COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES          Sec. 581.151.  REDISTRICTING PLAN; STANDARDS. (a) The   commission shall establish or modify districts described by Section   581.002 through a mapping process using the following criteria in   the following order of priority:                (1)  districts must comply with the United States   Constitution;                (2)  districts must achieve population equality as   nearly as is practicable;                (3)  districts must comply with the federal Voting   Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Section 10101 et seq.);                (4)  districts must be geographically contiguous;                (5)  the geographic integrity of each municipality,   county, local neighborhood, and local community of interest must be   respected in a manner that minimizes its division to the extent   possible without violating the requirements of any of the preceding   subdivisions; and                (6)  to the extent practicable and to the extent that   compliance with this subdivision does not preclude compliance with   any of the preceding subdivisions, districts must be drawn to   encourage geographical compactness so that nearby areas of   population are not bypassed for more distant areas of population.          (b)  For purposes of Subsection (a)(5), a community of   interest is a contiguous population that shares common social and   economic interests that should be included within a single district   for purposes of that population's effective and fair   representation.  Communities of interest may not be determined   based on relationships with political parties, incumbents, or   political candidates.          (c)  The place of residence of any incumbent or political   candidate may not be considered in the creation of a map. Districts   may not be drawn for the purpose of favoring or discriminating   against an incumbent, political candidate, or political party.          (d)  The mapping process described by Subsection (a) may not   make use of past or current boundary lines when establishing or   modifying districts.  The commission shall begin the mapping   process as if no prior districts have been drawn.          (e)  Not later than September 15 of each year following a   census year, the commission shall approve a final map that sets   forth the boundary lines of the districts for the election of the   members of the United States House of Representatives, the Texas   Senate, the Texas House of Representatives, and the State Board of   Education elected from this state.  On approval, the commission   shall certify each final map to the secretary of state.          (f)  The commission shall issue, with the final map, a report   that explains the basis on which the commission made its decisions   in achieving compliance with the criteria listed in Subsection (a)   and shall include definitions of the terms and standards used in   drawing the final map.          (g)  If the commission fails to approve a final map with the   vote and by the date required by this section, the secretary of   state shall immediately petition the Texas Supreme Court for an   order directing the appointment of special masters to adjust the   boundary lines of the districts required to be included in that map   in accordance with the redistricting criteria and requirements   provided by Subsections (a), (b), and (c). On approval of the   special masters' map, the Texas Supreme Court shall certify the map   to the secretary of state and the map constitutes the certified   final map for the districts included in the map.          (h)  The boundary lines of the districts contained in a   certified final map apply beginning with the next statewide general   election and any corresponding primary elections.          Sec. 581.152.  OPEN MEETINGS. (a) The commission is a   governmental body for purposes of Chapter 551.          (b)  Notwithstanding Chapter 551, the secretary of state   must post notice on the secretary of state's Internet website of a   meeting of the commission for at least:                (1)  14 days before the date of a meeting, other than a   meeting described by Subdivision (2); or                (2)  three days before the date of a meeting held in   September of a year following a census year.          (c)  Except in a closed meeting authorized by Subchapter D,   Chapter 551, a member or employee of the commission may not   communicate with or knowingly receive communications about a   redistricting matter from anyone outside of an open meeting.          Sec. 581.153.  PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The commission is a   governmental body for purposes of Chapter 552.          (b)  The commission shall post information relating to   redistricting and all data considered by the commission in a manner   that ensures immediate and widespread public access.          Sec. 581.154.  EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS. (a) The   commission may hire employees and hire or contract with legal   counsel and consultants as needed in the manner provided by this   section.          (b)  The commission must make hiring, removal, or   contracting decisions for employees, legal counsel, and   consultants by the affirmative vote of at least nine members,   including at least three majority party members, at least three   minority party members, and at least three independent members as   described by Section 581.051(d).          (c)  The commission shall ensure that at least one of the   legal counsel hired by the commission has demonstrated extensive   experience and expertise in implementing and enforcing the federal   Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. Sec. 10101 et seq.).          (d)  The commission shall establish for individuals   described by Subsection (a):                (1)  clear criteria for hiring and removal;                (2)  communication protocols; and                (3)  a code of conduct.          (e)  To the extent practicable, the commission shall avoid   selecting employees, legal counsel, or consultants who would be   disqualified from commission membership because of a conflict of   interest described by Section 581.057(a).          Sec. 581.155.  PUBLIC OUTREACH. (a) The commission shall   establish and implement an open hearing process for public input   and deliberation that is subject to public notice and promoted   through a thorough outreach program to solicit broad public   participation in the redistricting public review process.          (b)  The hearing process must include hearings to receive   public input before the commission draws any maps and hearings   following the drawing and display of any commission maps. In   addition, the commission shall supplement hearings with other   appropriate activities to further increase opportunities for the   public to observe and participate in the review process.          (c)  The commission shall hold a public hearing in each   proposed congressional district and display maps for public comment   in a manner designed to achieve the widest public access reasonably   possible.          (d)  The commission shall publicly display a preliminary map   for congressional, state legislative, and State Board of Education   districts and shall accept public comment for at least 14 days after   the date the preliminary map is first publicly displayed. The   commission may not display any other maps for public comment during   that 14-day period.          (e)  The commission shall review all public comment and other   testimony received at each hearing and make any necessary revisions   before approving a final map.          (f)  The commission shall make an audiovisual recording of   each hearing conducted under this section and ensure the recording   is made publicly available on the legislature's Internet website   with accommodations to increase accessibility not later than 48   hours after the hearing concludes.          Sec. 581.156.  LEGAL CHALLENGE.  (a) The commission has sole   standing to defend a legal challenge to a final map certified under   Section 581.151 before a court other than the Texas Supreme Court or   a Texas court of appeals. The legislature may provide adequate   funding and other resources to the commission to defend a certified   final map. The attorney general shall, at the commission's request,   represent the commission in defense of a certified final map. The   commission may, in its sole discretion, retain legal counsel other   than the attorney general to represent the commission in defense of   a certified final map before a court other than the Texas Supreme   Court or a Texas court of appeals.          (b)  Any registered voter in this state may file a petition   for a writ of mandamus or writ of prohibition, not later than the   45th day after the date a final map is certified to the secretary of   state, to bar the secretary of state from implementing the map on   the grounds that the map violates the Texas Constitution, the   United States Constitution, or any federal or state statute.          (c)  If the court determines that a final certified map   violates the Texas Constitution, the United States Constitution, or   any federal or state statute, the court shall fashion the relief   that the court deems appropriate, including the relief described by   Section 581.151(g).   SUBCHAPTER E. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND OTHER RESOURCES          Sec. 581.201.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT BY SECRETARY OF STATE.   Following the appointment of new commission members in each census   year, the secretary of state shall provide administrative support   to the commission until the commission's staff and office are fully   functional.          Sec. 581.202.  PER DIEM AND EXPENSES. (a) A commission   member is entitled to a per diem of $300 or the amount provided by   Subsection (b) for each day the member is engaged in commission   business.          (b)  On January 1 of each census year the per diem amount   prescribed by Subsection (a) is increased or decreased by an amount   equal to the amount prescribed by that subsection on December 31 of   the preceding year multiplied by the percentage increase or   decrease during the preceding decade in the Consumer Price Index   for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City Average, as published by   the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor in   function.          (c)  A commission member is eligible for reimbursement of   expenses incurred in connection with the member's performance of   duties under this chapter.          (d)  For purposes of calculating expense reimbursement, a   member's residence is considered to be the member's place of   employment.          SECTION 5.03.  Section 2058.002(a), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The legislature, the Independent Citizen Redistricting   Commission, or the Legislative Redistricting Board under Section   28, Article 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, 2026.          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, 2026.          SECTION 7.04.  The change in law made to Section 13.046(h),   Election Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with the   2025-2026 school year.          SECTION 7.05.  Chapter 581, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only in relation to a United States decennial   census taken on or after January 1, 2030.  The establishment or   modification of district boundaries in connection with a United   States decennial census taken before that date, including any legal   challenge, is governed by the law in effect immediately before the   effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 7.06.  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, 2025.          SECTION 7.07.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b)   and (c) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.          (b)  Article 5 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2029, but   only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, establishing an independent   redistricting commission to establish or modify districts for the   election of the members of the United States House of   Representatives elected from this state, the Texas Senate, the   Texas House of Representatives, and the State Board of Education 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 89th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2025, 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.