Sec. 105.004. E-MAIL BALLOT PROGRAM. (a) The secretary of state shall implement a program to allow a person who is casting an early voting ballot by mail to return the ballot by e-mail if the person is a member of the armed forces of the United States who is on active duty overseas and eligible for hostile fire pay. The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures to provide for a process implemented under this section to require:
(1) the voter to print the ballot, print and sign a voter signature form, and then scan the documents before submitting them by e-mail; and
(2) secure processing of ballots, including requiring the use of a voter's military e-mail address and common access card, or other measures the secretary of state considers appropriate.
(b) The secretary of state shall select to participate in the program a number of counties as determined by the secretary of state that:
(1) desire to participate in the program; and
(2) are determined by the secretary of state to have the appropriate technological capabilities.
(c) The secretary of state shall operate the program established under Subsection (a) as a pilot program until September 1, 2017.
(d) Not later than January 1, 2017, the secretary of state shall file a report with the legislature. The report may include the secretary of state's recommendations on the future use of e-mail ballot submission by members of the armed forces of the United States and suggestions for permanent statutory authority regarding e-mail ballot submission by members of the armed forces of the United States.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2017.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 902 (H.B. 1129), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 477 (S.B. 1115), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2015.
Section: Previous 105.001 105.002 105.003Last modified: September 28, 2016