Bill Caption

Relating to the requirement that a ballot to be voted by mail be canceled and returned before voting in person.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 3269 would require the early voting clerk to deliver each request for cancellation to the early voting ballot board to ensure a canceled ballot is not counted.  The early voting clerk and presiding election judge would also be required to keep a log of each ballot returned and shall provide a copy of the log to the early voting ballot board to ensure that the canceled ballot is not counted in the election. Returned ballots must be kept in a secure container with a chain of custody maintained by the early voting clerk.

The bill would require an election officer to electronically submit a record to the secretary of state of each application canceled in a primary, a runoff primary, a general election, or any special election ordered by the governor on the day the application is canceled.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 3269 because it espouses the limited government and individual liberty principles by protecting Texas elections.  This bill would help reduce the chances of canceled ballots being counted and could reduce voter fraud.