How HB 649 changes current law

Compared against the Texas statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 5 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 84.002(a), Election Code, Section 84.011(a), Election Code, Section 86.003(a), Election Code, Section 86.0031, Election Code, Section 86.006, Election Code.

• Section 84.002(a), Election Code

  or an e-mail address for the applicant to which the ballot is sent by electronic transmission

  amended

• Section 84.011(a), Election Code

  : (i) or (ii) that the applicant wishes to receive the balloting materials by electronic transmission and provide an e-mail address;

  amended

• Section 86.003(a), Election Code

  The → Except as provided by Section 86.0031, the

  amended

• Section 86.0031, Election Code

  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: (1) in a portable document format or similar file type or through a scanned format; or (2) by any other method of electronic transmission authorized by the secretary of state in writing. (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.

  amended

• Section 86.006, Election Code

  A → Except as provided by Subsection (a-3), a (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.

  amended