By: Hughes, et al.  S.B. No. 7          (In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2021; March 11, 2021, read   first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;   March 29, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee   Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 2; March 29, 2021,   sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 7 By:  Hughes     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to elections, including election integrity and security;   creating a criminal offense; providing civil penalties.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:   ARTICLE 1. VOTER REGISTRATION          SECTION 1.01.  Chapter 42, Code of Criminal Procedure, is   amended by adding Article 42.0194 to read as follows:          Art. 42.0194.  FINDING REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION. In the   trial of a felony offense, if the defendant is 18 years of age or   older and is adjudged guilty of the offense, the court shall:                (1)  make an affirmative finding that the person has   been found guilty of a felony and enter the affirmative finding in   the judgment of the case; and                (2)  instruct the defendant regarding how the felony   conviction will impact the defendant's right to vote in this state.          SECTION 1.02.  Section 13.002, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:          (c-1)  A registration application must require the applicant   to affirmatively indicate all information provided on the   application.          SECTION 1.03.  Section 15.028, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 15.028.  NOTICE OF UNLAWFUL VOTING OR REGISTRATION [TO   PROSECUTOR]. [(a)] If the registrar determines that a person who   is not eligible to vote may have registered to vote or [a registered   voter] voted in an election, the registrar shall execute and   deliver to the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the   county or district attorney having jurisdiction in the territory   covered by the election an affidavit stating the relevant facts.          [(b)  If the election covers territory in more than one   county, the registrar shall also deliver an affidavit to the   attorney general.]          SECTION 1.04.  Section 16.0332(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  After the registrar receives a list under Section 18.068   of this code or Section 62.113, Government Code, of persons excused   or disqualified from jury service or otherwise determined to be   ineligible to vote because of citizenship status, the registrar   shall deliver to each registered voter whose name appears on the   list a written notice requiring the voter to submit to the registrar   proof of United States citizenship in the form of a certified copy   of the voter's birth certificate, United States passport, or   certificate of naturalization or any other form prescribed by the   secretary of state.  The notice shall be delivered by forwardable   mail to the mailing address on the voter's registration application   and to any new address of the voter known to the registrar.          SECTION 1.05.  Section 18.065, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to   read as follows:          (a)  The secretary of state shall monitor each registrar for   substantial compliance with Sections 15.083, 16.032, 16.0332, and   18.061 and with rules implementing the statewide computerized voter   registration list.          (e)  If a registrar fails to correct a violation within 30   days of a notice under Subsection (b), the secretary of state shall   correct the violation on behalf of the registrar.          (f)  A registrar is liable to this state for a civil penalty   of $100 for each violation corrected by the secretary of state under   Subsection (e). The attorney general may bring an action to recover   a civil penalty imposed under this section.          (g)  A civil penalty collected by the attorney general under   this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit   of the general revenue fund.          SECTION 1.06.  The changes in law made by this article apply   only to an application for voter registration submitted on or after   the effective date of this Act.   ARTICLE 2. VOTING BY MAIL          SECTION 2.01.  Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 84.0011 to read as follows:          Sec. 84.0011.  SOLICITATION OF BALLOT BY MAIL APPLICATIONS   PROHIBITED. The early voting clerk may make no attempt to solicit a   person to complete an application for an early voting ballot by   mail, whether directly or through a third party.          SECTION 2.02.  Section 84.002, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  An application for a ballot to be voted by mail on the   ground of disability must require the applicant to affirmatively   indicate that the applicant agrees with the statement "I have a   sickness or physical condition that prevents me from appearing at   the polling place on election day without a likelihood of needing   personal assistance or injuring my health," as prescribed by   Section 82.002(a).          SECTION 2.03.  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 state jail felony [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; 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 the date   on or after which the applicant can receive mail at the address   outside the county;                      (B)  a space for indicating the fact that an   applicant whose application is signed by a witness cannot make the   applicant's mark and a space for indicating the relationship or   lack of relationship of the witness to the applicant;                      (C)  a space for entering an applicant's telephone   number, with a statement informing the applicant that failure to   furnish that information does not invalidate the application;                      (D)  a space or box for an applicant 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 applying on   the ground of confinement in jail 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), 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 2.04.  Subchapter A, Chapter 84, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 84.0111 to read as follows:          Sec. 84.0111.  PROHIBITION ON DISTRIBUTION OF APPLICATION   FORM. (a) Unless authorized by this code, an officer or employee   of this state or of a political subdivision of this state may not   distribute an application form for an early voting ballot to a   person who did not request an application under Section 84.001.          (b)  An officer or employee of this state or of a political   subdivision of this state may not use public funds to facilitate the   distribution by another person of an application form for an early   voting ballot to a person who did not request an application under   Section 84.001.          SECTION 2.05.  Section 84.035, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 84.035.  BALLOT SENT TO APPLICANT. (a) If the early   voting clerk cancels an application by an applicant to whom an early   voting ballot has been sent, the clerk shall:                (1)  remove the applicant's name from the early voting   roster; and                (2)  make any other entries in the records and take any   other action necessary to prevent the ballot from being counted if   returned.          (b)  A person to whom an early voting ballot has been sent who   cancels the person's application for a ballot to be voted by mail in   accordance with Section 84.032 but fails to return the ballot to be   voted by mail to the early voting clerk, deputy early voting clerk,   or presiding judge as provided by that section may only vote a   provisional ballot under Section 63.011.          SECTION 2.06.  Section 86.0015, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (b-3) to read as follows:          (b-3)  An application for a ballot to be voted by mail on the   ground of disability under this section must include or be   accompanied by:                (1)  written documentation from the United States   Social Security Administration or the United States Department of   Veterans Affairs evidencing that the applicant has been determined   to have a disability; or                (2)  a certificate of a licensed physician or   chiropractor or accredited Christian Science practitioner in   substantially the following form:          "This is to certify that I personally know that __________   has a sickness or physical condition that will prevent him or her   from appearing at a polling place without a likelihood of needing   personal assistance or of injuring his or her health.          "Witness my hand at __________, Texas, this __________ day of   __________, 20___.   ________________________________   (signature of physician,            chiropractor, or practitioner)      ________________________________   (printed name of physician,         chiropractor, or practitioner)"           SECTION 2.07.  Section 86.006, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsection (a-2) to   read as follows:          (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 [Subsection] (a-1) and   (a-2), in-person delivery by the voter who voted the ballot.          (a-2)  An in-person delivery of a marked ballot voted under   this chapter must be received at the time of delivery by a person. A   ballot delivered in violation of this subsection may not be   counted.          (e)  Carrier envelopes may not be collected and stored at   another location for subsequent delivery to the early voting clerk.   The secretary of state shall prescribe appropriate procedures to   implement this subsection and to provide accountability for the   delivery of the carrier envelopes from the voting place to the early   voting clerk. A ballot delivered in violation of this subsection   may not be counted.          SECTION 2.08.  Section 86.011(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  If the return is not timely, the clerk shall enter the   time of receipt on the carrier envelope and retain it in a locked   container for the period for preserving the precinct election   records. The clerk shall destroy the unopened envelope and its   contents after the preservation period.          SECTION 2.09.  Chapter 86, Election Code, is amended by   adding Section 86.015 to read as follows:          Sec. 86.015.  ELECTRONIC TRACKING OF APPLICATION FOR BALLOT   VOTED BY MAIL OR BALLOT VOTED BY MAIL. (a) The secretary of state   shall develop or otherwise provide an online tool to each early   voting clerk that enables a person who submits an application for a   ballot to be voted by mail to track the location and status of the   person's application and ballot 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.          (b)  The online tool developed or provided under Subsection   (a) must require the voter to provide, before permitting the voter   to access information described by that subsection:                (1)  the voter's name and registration address and the   last four digits of the voter's social security number; and                (2)  the voter's:                      (A)  driver's license number; or                      (B)  personal identification card number issued   by the Department of Public Safety.          (c)  An online tool used under this section must update the   applicable Internet website as soon as practicable after each of   the following events occurs:                (1)  receipt by the early voting clerk of the person's   application for a ballot to be voted by mail;                (2)  acceptance or rejection by the early voting clerk   of the person's application for a ballot to be voted by mail;                (3)  placement in the mail by the early voting clerk of   the person's official ballot;                (4)  receipt by the early voting clerk of the person's   marked ballot; and                (5)  acceptance or rejection by the early voting ballot   board of a person's marked ballot.          (d)  The secretary of state shall adopt rules and prescribe   procedures as necessary to implement this section.          SECTION 2.10.  Section 87.027(i), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (i)  The signature verification committee shall compare the   signature on each carrier envelope certificate, except those signed   for a voter by a witness, with the signature on the voter's ballot   application to determine whether the signatures are those of the   voter.  The committee may also compare the signatures with any   known signature [two or more signatures] of the voter [made within   the preceding six years and] on file with the county clerk or voter   registrar to determine whether the signatures are those of the   voter.  Except as provided by Subsection (l), a determination under   this subsection that the signatures are not those of the voter must   be made by a majority vote of the committee's membership.  The   committee shall place the jacket envelopes, carrier envelopes, and   applications of voters whose signatures are not those of the voter   in separate containers from those of voters whose signatures are   those of the voter.  The committee chair shall deliver the sorted   materials to the early voting ballot board at the time specified by   the board's presiding judge.          SECTION 2.11.  Section 87.041(e), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (e)  In making the determination under Subsection (b)(2),   the board may also compare the signatures with any known signature   [two or more signatures] of the voter [made within the preceding six   years and] on file with the county clerk or voter registrar to   determine whether the signatures are those of the voter.          SECTION 2.12.  Sections 87.062(a) and (c), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  On the direction of the presiding judge, the early   voting ballot board, in accordance with Section 85.032(b), shall   open the containers [container] for the early voting ballots that   are to be counted by the board, remove the contents from each [the]   container, and remove any ballots enclosed in ballot envelopes from   their envelopes.          (c)  Ballots voted by mail shall be tabulated separately from   the ballots voted by personal appearance and shall be separately   reported on the returns [The results of all early voting ballots   counted by the board under this subchapter shall be included in the   same return].          SECTION 2.13.  Section 87.103, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 87.103.  COUNTING BALLOTS AND PREPARING RETURNS. (a)   The early voting electronic system ballots counted at a central   counting station, the ballots cast at precinct polling places, and   the ballots voted by mail shall be tabulated separately [from the   ballots cast at precinct polling places] and shall be separately   reported on the returns.          (b)  The early voting returns prepared at the central   counting station must include any early voting results obtained by   the early voting ballot board under Subchapter [Subchapters] D [and   E].          SECTION 2.14.  Section 87.126, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:          (a-1)  Electronic records made under this section shall   record both sides of any application, envelope, or ballot recorded,   and all such records shall be provided to the early voting ballot   board, the signature verification committee, or both.          SECTION 2.15.  The changes in law made by this article apply   only to an application for an early voting ballot to be voted by   mail that is submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.   ARTICLE 3. ELECTION SECURITY          SECTION 3.01.  Section 33.006(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  A certificate of appointment must:                (1)  be in writing and signed by the appointing   authority or, for an appointment for a write-in candidate under   Section 33.004, by each of the voters making the appointment;                (2)  indicate the capacity in which the appointing   authority is acting;                (3)  state the name, residence address, and voter   registration number of the appointee and be signed by the   appointee;                (4)  identify the election and the precinct polling   place or other location at which the appointee is to serve; and                (5)  in an election on a measure, identify the measure   if more than one is to be voted on and state which side of the   measure the appointee represents[; and                [(6)  contain an affidavit executed by the appointee   stating that the appointee will not have possession of a device   capable of recording images or sound or that the appointee will   disable or deactivate the device while serving as a watcher].          SECTION 3.02.  Section 33.051(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  [A watcher may not be accepted for service if the   watcher has possession of a device capable of recording images or   sound unless the watcher agrees to disable or deactivate the   device.] The presiding judge may inquire whether a watcher has   possession of a [any prohibited] recording device before accepting   the watcher for service.          SECTION 3.03.  Section 33.056, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read   as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Section 33.057, a watcher is   entitled to observe any activity conducted at the location at which   the watcher is serving. A watcher is entitled to sit or stand   [conveniently] near enough to see and hear the election officers   conducting the observed activity, except as otherwise prohibited by   this chapter.          (e)  Except as provided by Section 33.057(b), a watcher may   not be denied free movement within the location at which the watcher   is serving.          (f)  In this code, a watcher who is entitled to "observe" an   activity is entitled to sit or stand near enough to see and hear the   activity.          SECTION 3.04.  Section 33.061, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  An offense under Subsection (a) includes an action taken   to distance or obstruct the view of a watcher in a way that makes   observation reasonably ineffective.          SECTION 3.05.  Section 43.007, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (m) and adding Subsections (m-1), (m-2), and   (q) to read as follows:          (m)  In adopting a methodology under Subsection (f), the   county must ensure that:                (1)  in a county with a population of less than one   million:                      (A)  each county commissioners precinct contains   at least one countywide polling place; and                      (B)  the deviation in the percentage of the total   number of countywide polling places located in a commissioners   precinct does not vary by more than one percentage point in a   precinct; and                (2)  in a county with a population of one million or   more, the number of polling places located in each state   representative district included in the territory of the county is   calculated by dividing the number of voters residing in that   district by the total number of voters residing in the county and   using the number generated as a percentage to allocate the same   percentage of polling place locations, rounding up to the nearest   whole number, if necessary [the total number of permanent branch   and temporary branch polling places open for voting in a county   commissioners precinct does not exceed more than twice the number   of permanent branch and temporary branch polling places in another   county commissioners precinct].          (m-1)  In making a calculation under Subsection (m), voter   data from the most recent election shall be used.          (m-2)  Election officials and voting equipment, materials,   and supplies must be allocated to each polling place based on the   same percentage as polling place locations are determined under   Subsection (m) with no greater than a five percent deviation in the   allocation between polling place locations. Each polling place   location must be able to accommodate 100 percent of the equipment   allocated to be operational at the same time.          (q)  Each countywide polling place in a county must have   approximately the same number of voting machines as each other   countywide polling place in the county.          SECTION 3.06.  Section 43.031(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Each polling place shall be located inside a building.   A polling place may not be located in a tent or other temporary   moveable structure or in a facility primarily designed for motor   vehicles. No voter may cast a vote from inside a motor vehicle   unless the voter meets the requirements of Section 64.009.          SECTION 3.07.  Section 61.014, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to   read as follows:          (a)  A person, other than a watcher using the device solely   to record image or sound as permitted under Subsection (b), may not   use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of a voting   station.          (b)  A person, other than a watcher, may not use a [any]   mechanical or electronic device to record [means of recording]   images or sound at a polling place. A watcher may use such a device   to record images or sound at a polling place, except that a watcher   may record activity [within 100 feet] of a voter at a voting station   only if the voter is receiving assistance the watcher reasonably   believes to be unlawful.          (b-1)  A recording made by a watcher under Subsection (b) may   not capture or record any information on a voter's ballot.          SECTION 3.08.  Section 64.007(c), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  An election officer shall maintain a register of spoiled   ballots at the polling place, including spoiled ballots from a   direct recording electronic voting unit. An election officer shall   enter on the register the name of each voter who returns a spoiled   ballot and the spoiled ballot's number.          SECTION 3.09.  Section 64.009, Election Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1), (e), (f),   (g), and (h) to read as follows:          (b)  The regular voting procedures, except those in   Subchapter B, may be modified by the election officer to the extent   necessary to conduct voting under this section.          (b-1)  A person other than the voter is only permitted to be   inside the motor vehicle while the voter votes if the person would   be entitled to accompany the voter to the voting station under other   law.          (e)  Except as provided by Section 33.057, a poll watcher is   entitled to observe any activity conducted under this section.          (f)  A person who assists three or more voters voting under   this section by providing the voters with transportation to the   polling place must complete and sign a form that contains the   person's name and address and whether the person is providing   assistance solely under this section or under both this section and   Subchapter B.          (g)  A form completed under Subsection (f) shall be delivered   to the secretary of state as soon as practicable. The secretary   shall retain a form delivered under this section for the period for   preserving the precinct election records and shall make the form   available to the attorney general for inspection upon request.          (h)  The secretary of state shall prescribe the form   described by Subsection (f).          SECTION 3.10.  Subchapter B, Chapter 64, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 64.0322 to read as follows:          Sec. 64.0322.  SUBMISSION OF FORM BY ASSISTANT. (a) A   person, other than an election officer, who assists a voter in   accordance with this chapter is required to complete a form   stating:                (1)  the name and address of the person assisting the   voter;                (2)  the manner in which the person assisted the voter;                (3)  the reason the assistance was necessary; and                (4)  the relationship of the assistant to the voter.          (b)  The secretary of state shall prescribe the form required   by this section. The form must be incorporated into the official   carrier envelope if the voter is voting an early voting ballot by   mail and receives assistance under Section 86.010, or must be   submitted to an election officer at the time the voter casts a   ballot if the voter is voting at a polling place or under Section   64.009.          SECTION 3.11.  Section 66.052, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 66.052.  DELIVERY BY ELECTION CLERK; CHAIN OF CUSTODY.   (a) A delivery of election records or supplies that is to be   performed by the presiding judge may be performed by an election   clerk designated by the presiding judge.          (b)  The presiding judge or an election clerk designated by   the presiding judge under this section must keep records of each   person that has custody of a precinct election record until the   records are delivered.          SECTION 3.12.  Sections 66.058(b) and (g), Election Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (b)  For a period of at least 60 days after the date of the   election, or until any election contest is resolved, whichever is   longer, the voted ballots shall be preserved securely in a locked   room in the locked ballot box in which they are delivered to the   general custodian of election records. On the 61st day after   election day, or the day an election contest is resolved, whichever   is later, the general custodian of election records may:                (1)  require a person who has possession of a key that   operates the lock on a ballot box containing voted ballots to return   the key to the custodian; and                (2)  unlock the ballot box and transfer the voted   ballots to another secure container for the remainder of the   preservation period.          (g)  Electronic records created under Chapter 129 shall be   preserved in a secure container. An electronic device used to store   records may not be altered in any manner as to delete or overwrite   the records during the preservation period.          SECTION 3.13.  Section 85.005, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 85.005.  REGULAR DAYS AND HOURS FOR VOTING. (a)  Except   as provided by Subsection (c), in an election in which a county   clerk [or city secretary] is the early voting clerk under Section   83.002 [or 83.005], early voting by personal appearance at the main   early voting polling place shall be conducted on each weekday of   [the weekdays of] the early voting period that is not a legal state   holiday and for a period of at least nine hours, except that voting   may not be conducted earlier than 6 a.m. or later than 9 p.m.   [during the hours that the county clerk's or city secretary's main   business office is regularly open for business.]          (b)  In an election to which Subsection (a) does not apply,   early voting by personal appearance at the main early voting   polling place shall be conducted at least nine [eight] hours each   weekday of the early voting period that is not a legal state holiday   unless the territory covered by the election has fewer than 1,000   registered voters. In that case, the voting shall be conducted at   least four [three] hours each day. The authority ordering the   election, or the county clerk if that person is the early voting   clerk, shall determine which hours the voting is to be conducted.          (c)  In a county with a population of 30,000 [100,000] or   more, the 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 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 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 9   p.m. Voting shall be conducted in accordance with this subsection   in those elections in a county with a population under 30,000   [100,000] 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.          [(d)  In an election ordered by a city, early voting by   personal appearance at the main early voting polling place shall be   conducted for at least 12 hours:                [(1) on one weekday, if the early voting period consists   of less than six weekdays; or                [(2) on two weekdays, if the early voting period   consists of six or more weekdays.]          SECTION 3.14.  Section 85.006(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  In an election in which a county clerk [or city   secretary] is the early voting clerk under Section 83.002 [or   83.005], only the early voting clerk may order voting on a Saturday   or Sunday.  The clerk must do so by written order.          SECTION 3.15.  Section 85.010(a-1), Election Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a-1)  In this section, "eligible county polling place"   means an early voting polling place[, other than a polling place   established under Section 85.062(e),] established by a county.          SECTION 3.16.  Section 85.061(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  In a countywide election in which the county clerk is   the early voting clerk under Section 83.002, an early voting   polling place shall be located inside [at] each branch office that   is regularly maintained for conducting general clerical functions   of the county clerk, except as provided by Subsection (b). If a   suitable room is unavailable inside the branch office, the polling   place may be located in another room inside the same building as the   branch office. The polling place may not be located in a tent or   other temporary movable structure or a parking garage, parking lot,   or similar facility designed primarily for motor vehicles.          SECTION 3.17.  Section 85.062(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  A polling place established under this section may be   located, subject to Subsection (d), at any place in the territory   served by the early voting clerk and may be located inside [in] any   building [stationary structure] as directed by the authority   establishing the branch office. The polling place may not be   located in a tent or other temporary movable structure or a parking   garage, parking lot, or similar facility designed primarily for   motor vehicles in the general election for state and county   officers, general primary election, or runoff primary election.   Ropes or other suitable objects may be used at the polling place to   ensure compliance with Section 62.004. Persons who are not   expressly permitted by law to be in a polling place shall be   excluded from the polling place to the extent practicable.          SECTION 3.18.  Section 124.002, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  Voting system ballots may not be arranged in a manner   that allows a political party's candidates to be selected in one   motion or gesture.          SECTION 3.19.  Subchapter A, Chapter 125, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 125.0071 to read as follows:          Sec. 125.0071.  VOTER ALLOWED TO CAST BALLOT AT ANY TIME. A   voting machine or ballot marking device must allow a voter the   option to cast or complete the voter's ballot without voting on all   races or measures if the voter affirmatively chooses to do so.          SECTION 3.20.  Subchapter A, Chapter 127, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 127.008 to read as follows:          Sec. 127.008.  ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN CENTRAL COUNTING   STATION. (a) A counting station manager and the presiding judge of   the counting station shall develop a protocol under which any   electronic device inside a central counting station that is   necessary to count votes is equipped with software that tracks all   input and activity on the electronic device.          (b)  The counting station manager and the presiding judge of   the counting station shall ensure that the input and activity   tracked by the software is printed and delivered to the secretary of   state not later than the fifth day after vote counting is complete.          SECTION 3.21.  Section 127.1232, Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 127.1232.  SECURITY OF VOTED BALLOTS. (a) The general   custodian of election records shall post a licensed peace officer   [guard] to ensure the security of ballot boxes containing voted   ballots throughout the period of tabulation at the central counting   station.          (b)  The general custodian of election records may implement   a video surveillance system that retains a record of all areas   containing voted ballots from the time the voted ballots are   delivered to the central counting station until the canvass of   precinct election returns.  The video may be made available to the   public by a livestream.          (c)  The video recorded is an election record under Section   1.012 and shall be retained by the general custodian of election   records until the end of the calendar year in which an election is   held or until an election contest filed in the county has been   resolved, whichever is later.          SECTION 3.22.  Subchapter A, Chapter 129, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 129.003 to read as follows:          Sec. 129.003.  PAPER AUDIT TRAIL REQUIRED. (a) In this   section, "auditable voting system" means a voting system that:                (1)  uses a paper record; or                (2)  produces a paper record by which a voter can verify   that the voter's ballot will be counted accurately.          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), a voting system   that consists of direct recording electronic voting machines may   not be used in an election unless the system is an auditable voting   system.          (c)  Except for a recount under Title 13, the electronic vote   is the official record of the ballot. For a recount of ballots cast   on a system involving direct recording electronic voting machines,   the paper record is the official record of the vote cast.          (d)  An authority that purchased a voting system other than   an auditable voting system after September 1, 2016, and before   September 1, 2021, may use available federal funding and, if   federal funding is not available, available state funding to   retrofit the purchased voting system as an auditable voting system   in accordance with the following schedule:                (1)  if the voting system was retrofitted as an   auditable voting system not later than the election taking place   November 8, 2022, the authority is eligible to have 100 percent of   the cost of retrofitting reimbursed under this section; and                (2)  if the authority is not eligible for a 100 percent   reimbursement of cost under Subdivision (1) and the voting system   was retrofitted as an auditable voting system not later than the   election taking place November 3, 2026, the authority is eligible   to have 50 percent of the cost of retrofitting reimbursed under this   section.          (e)  Subsections (a)-(c) do not apply to an election held   before September 1, 2026.          SECTION 3.23.  Section 129.023, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (b-2) and (c-1) to read as follows:          (b-2)  If the test is being conducted for an election in   which a county election board has been established under Section   51.002, the general custodian of election records shall notify each   member of the board of the test at least 48 hours before the date of   the test. If the county election board chooses to witness the test,   each member shall sign the statement required by Subsection (e)(1).          (c-1)  A test conducted under this section must also require   the general custodian of election records to demonstrate, using a   representative sample of voting system equipment, that the source   code of the equipment has not been altered.          SECTION 3.24.  Section 216.001, Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 216.001.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. (a) Except as   provided by Subsection (b), this [This] chapter applies only to an   election that results in a tie vote as provided by Sections   2.002(i), 2.023(b) and (c), and 2.028.          (b)  If the results of an election show that the number of   votes cast in an election precinct exceeds the number of registered   voters in the precinct, the authority designated under Section   212.026 shall initiate an automatic recount for that precinct in   accordance with this chapter.          SECTION 3.25.  Section 81.032, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 81.032.  ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS. (a) The   commissioners court may accept a donation of labor or services,   gift, grant, donation, bequest, or devise of money or other   property on behalf of the county, including a donation under   Chapter 38, Government Code, for the purpose of performing a   function conferred by law on the county or a county officer.          (b)  The commissioners court may not accept a donation   described in Subsection (a) of over $1,000 for use in administering   elections without the written consent of the secretary of state.          (c)  The secretary of state may grant consent under   Subsection (b) only if:                (1)  the secretary consults with the governor, the   lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of   representatives on the proposed donation; and                (2)  the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the   speaker of the house of representatives unanimously agree to the   secretary's grant of consent.          SECTION 3.26.  The changes in law made by this article apply   only to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this   Act.  An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is   governed by the law in effect when the election was ordered, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.   ARTICLE 4. ENFORCEMENT          SECTION 4.01.  Subchapter E, Chapter 31, Election Code, is   amended by adding Sections 31.126 and 31.127 to read as follows:          Sec. 31.126.  RESTRICTION ON ELIGIBILITY. (a) In this   section, "election official" means:                (1)  a county clerk;                (2)  a permanent or temporary deputy county clerk;                (3)  an elections administrator;                (4)  a permanent or temporary employee of an elections   administrator;                (5)  an election judge;                (6)  an alternate election judge;                (7)  an early voting clerk;                (8)  a deputy early voting clerk;                (9)  an election clerk;                (10)  the presiding judge of an early voting ballot   board;                (11)  the alternate presiding judge of an early voting   ballot board;                (12)  a member of an early voting ballot board;                (13)  the chair of a signature verification committee;                (14)  the vice chair of a signature verification   committee;                (15)  a member of a signature verification committee;                (16)  the presiding judge of a central counting   station;                (17)  the alternate presiding judge of a central   counting station;                (18)  a central counting station manager;                (19)  a central counting station clerk;                (20)  a tabulation supervisor; and                (21)  an assistant to a tabulation supervisor.          (b)  A person may not serve as an election official if the   person has been finally convicted of an offense under Section   33.061.          Sec. 31.127.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) In this section, "election   official" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.126.          (b)  An election official may be liable to this state for a   civil penalty if the official:                (1)  is employed by or is an officer of this state or a   political subdivision of this state; and                (2)  violates a provision of this code.          (c)  A civil penalty imposed under this section may include   termination of the person's employment and loss of the person's   employment benefits.          SECTION 4.02.  Section 33.051, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:          (g)  An election officer commits an offense if the officer   knowingly refuses to accept a watcher for service whose acceptance   is required by this code. An offense under this section is a Class A   misdemeanor.          SECTION 4.03.  Subchapter C, Chapter 33, Election Code, is   amended by adding Section 33.062 to read as follows:          Sec. 33.062.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. A watcher, or the   appointing authority for a watcher, is entitled to injunctive   relief under Section 273.081 to enforce this chapter, including   issuance of temporary orders.          SECTION 4.04.  Section 87.0431(b), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  The early voting clerk shall, not later than the 30th   day after election day, deliver notice to the attorney general,   including certified copies of the carrier envelope and   corresponding ballot application, of any ballot rejected because:                (1)  the voter was deceased;                (2)  the voter already voted in person in the same   election;                (3)  the signatures on the carrier envelope and ballot   application were not executed by the same person;                (4)  the carrier envelope certificate lacked a witness   signature; [or]                (5)  the carrier envelope certificate was improperly   executed by an assistant; or                (6)  any form of voter fraud was committed.          SECTION 4.05.  Section 232.006(a), Election Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The venue of an election contest for a statewide office   is in Travis County or any county where a contestee resided at the   time of the election. For purposes of this section, a contestee's   residence is determined under Section 411.0257, Government Code.          SECTION 4.06.  Chapter 232, Election Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter C to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER C. CONTEST INVOLVING ALLEGED FRAUD          Sec. 232.061.  PETITION ALLEGING FRAUD. This subchapter   applies to an election contest in which the contestant alleges in   the petition that an opposing candidate, an agent of the opposing   candidate, or a person acting on behalf of the opposing candidate   with the candidate's knowledge committed election fraud under any   of the following sections of this code:                (1)  Section 13.007;                (2)  Section 64.012;                (3)  Section 64.036;                (4)  Section 84.003;                (5)  Section 84.0041;                (6)  Section 86.0051;                (7)  Section 86.006;                (8)  Section 86.010; or                (9)  Section 276.013.          Sec. 232.062.  EVIDENTIARY STANDARD. A contestant must   prove an allegation described by Section 232.061 by a preponderance   of the evidence.          Sec. 232.063.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) If the court in its   judgment finds that the contestee, an agent of the contestee, or a   person acting on behalf of the contestee with the contestee's   knowledge committed one or more violations of a section described   by Section 232.061, the contestee is liable to this state for a   civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.          (b)  A penalty collected under this section by the attorney   general shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of   the general revenue fund.          Sec. 232.064.  ATTORNEY'S FEES. In an election contest to   which this subchapter applies, the court may award reasonable   attorney's fees to the prevailing party.          SECTION 4.07.  (a) The changes in law made by this article   apply only to an election contest for which the associated election   occurred after the effective date of this Act.          (b)  The changes in law made by this article apply only to an   election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act.  An   election ordered before the effective date of this Act is governed   by the law in effect when the election was ordered, and the former   law is continued in effect for that purpose.   ARTICLE 5. REPEALER AND EFFECTIVE DATE          SECTION 5.01.  Section 85.062(e), Election Code, is   repealed.          SECTION 5.02.  The secretary of state is required to   implement Section 86.015, Election Code, as added by this Act, only   if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that   purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money   specifically for that purpose, the secretary of state may, but is   not required to, implement Section 86.015, Election Code, using   other appropriations available for that purpose.          SECTION 5.03.  Subject to Section 5.02 of this Act, this Act   takes effect September 1, 2021.     * * * * *