TITLE 1.ADMINISTRATION

Part 4. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Chapter 81. ELECTIONS

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes the repeal of §§81.1, 81.8, 81.10, 81.72, 81.73, 81.74, 81.75, 81.81, 81.82, and 81.401 concerning elections. The repeals are a result of the Rule Review required by the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

The proposed repeals will allow the Office of the Secretary of State to delete rules which have become outdated or codified (81.1, 81.8, 81.10, 81.401), and rewrite and relocate the other rules (81.72, 81.73, 81.74, 81.75, 81.81, and 81.82) contained in this chapter.

In addition, the Elections Division proposes to change the title of Subchapter E from "Miscellaneous" to "Election Day Procedures." The reason for this proposed title change is to reflect more accurately the contents of Subchapter E.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the repeals are in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the repeals.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the repeals are in effect the public benefits expected as a result of adoption of the proposed repeals will be that the rules contained in Chapter 81 will be current and presented in a more logical manner. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

Subchapter A. VOTER REGISTRATION

1 TAC §§81.1, 81.8, 81.10

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003 (Vernon 2000), which authorizes the agency to amend, adopt, and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Code.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by these proposed repeals.

§81.1.Application Forms Used by Volunteer Deputies.

§81.8.Submission of Lists to the Secretary of State.

§81.10.Voter Registration Transactions.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002800

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


Subchapter E. ELECTION DAY PROCEDURES

1 TAC §§81.72 - 81.75, 81.81, 81.82

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003 (Vernon 2000), which authorizes the agency to amend, adopt, and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Code.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by these proposed repeals.

§81.72.Late Convening of Early Voting Ballot Board in Elections Other Than a General Election for State and County Officers and Primary Elections.

§81.73.Late Convening of Early Voting Ballot Board.

§81.74.Security of Early Voting Ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f).

§81.75.Voting from Space.

§81.81.Supplementation of Voter Registration Application.

§81.82.Documentation Establishing Citizenship.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002801

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


Subchapter K. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT

1 TAC §81.401

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeal is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003 (Vernon 2000), which authorizes the agency to amend, adopt, and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Code.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed repeal.

§81.401.Implementation of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002802

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


Chapter 81. ELECTIONS

Subchapter A. VOTER REGISTRATION

1 TAC §81.1

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.1 concerning supplementation of voter registration applications. This new rule is the result of the Rule Review required by the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.1 will allow old §81.81 to be relocated to the voter registration subchapter.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the voter registration subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed new rule.

§81.1. Supplementation of Voter Registration Application.

(a)

"Required information" in §13.072(e) shall mean the subsequent submission of a fully completed voter registration application.

(b)

In order to proceed with the review of the application, the voter registrar must receive the required information not later than 10 days after notifying the applicant that a voter registration application is incomplete.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002794

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


1 TAC §81.8

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.8 concerning documentation establishing citizenship for voter registration challenges. This new rule is the result of the Rule Review required by Rider 167 of the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.8 will allow old §81.82 to be relocated to the voter registration subchapter.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the voter registration subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed new rule.

§81.8. Documentation Establishing Citizenship.

(a)

"Proof of citizenship" may take the form of a certified copy of the voter's passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization papers.

(b)

If a voter fails to provide proof of citizenship within the required 30 days, the voter registrar shall promptly send the voter a notice of cancellation that includes the date of and the reason for cancellation.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002795

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


Subchapter B. EARLY VOTING

1 TAC §81.32

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.32, concerning late convening of the early-voting ballot board in elections other than the general election for state and county officers. This new rule is the result of the Rule Review required by Rider 167 of the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.32 will allow old §81.72 to be relocated from the miscellaneous subchapter to the early-voting subchapter.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the early-voting subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed new rule.

§81.32. Late Convening of Early-Voting Ballot Board in Elections Other than General Election for State and County Officers.

The presiding judge of the early-voting ballot board shall convene the board between the third and fifth day after election day to count late early-voted ballots cast from outside the country and placed in delivery by 7:00 p.m. on election day, so that the governing body of the territory conducting the election can timely canvass the election returns no earlier than the third day or later than the sixth day after election day.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002796

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


1 TAC §81.33

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.33 concerning late convening of the early-voting ballot board in primary elections. This new rule is the result of the Rule Review required by the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.33 will allow old §81.73 to be relocated from the miscellaneous subchapter to the early-voting subchapter. The language of the rule has been amended to clarify that it applies only to primary elections.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the early-voting subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed new rule.

§81.33. Late Convening of Early-Voting Ballot Board in Primary Elections.

The presiding judge of the early-voting ballot board shall convene the board to count late early-voted ballots cast from outside the country and placed in delivery by 7:00 p.m. on election day, at any time after the last mail delivery occurring two days after the election, or when the early voting clerk certifies that all early-voting ballots mailed from outside the United States have been received, whichever is earlier. The precise time for the convening of the board shall be within the discretion of the presiding judge, with a view toward allowing ample time for the board and the central counting station personnel (if applicable) to discharge its duties so that the county executive committee can timely convene at no later than 1:00 p.m. on the third day after election day.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002797

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


1 TAC §81.34

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.34, concerning the security of early ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f), which authorizes early-voting ballots to be counted prior to election day in certain counties. This new rule is proposed as a result of the Rule Review required by the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.34 will allow old §81.74 to be relocated from the miscellaneous subchapter to the early-voting subchapter.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank has also determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the early-voting subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by this proposed new rule.

§81.34. Security of Early-Voting Ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f).

(a)

If the early-voting ballot board convenes before election day, the presiding judge shall, upon each adjournment of the board, lock and seal each ballot box prior to returning the boxes to the custodian of records. The judge shall complete a ballot-box security form showing each serial number used to seal each box. The form shall be signed by the judge and another early-voting ballot board member who has witnessed the procedure. In a general election for state and county officers, the early-voting ballot board member must be from a different political party than the judge. The custodian of records shall also sign the form.

(b)

The presiding judge shall retain the key(s) used to lock the ballot box(es). In the event that the judge is unwilling to retain the key, the key shall be retained by the authority designated in accordance with §66.060(a) of the Code.

(c)

Upon reconvening the ballot board, the presiding judge shall ensure that each ballot box is intact. The presiding judge shall follow these procedures each day except upon final delivery to the custodian of records or delivery to the central counting station.

(d)

If it is impracticable for the ballot-board judge to deliver the ballot boxes each day upon adjournment, the authority conducting the election shall submit to the Office of the Secretary of State an alternative plan for the security of the ballots for approval.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002798

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561


1 TAC §81.35

The Office of the Secretary of State, Elections Division, proposes new §81.35, concerning voting from outer space. This new rule is proposed as a result of the Rule Review required by the General Appropriations Act of 1997.

Proposed new §81.35 will allow old §81.75 to be relocated from the miscellaneous subchapter to the early-voting subchapter.

Jeffrey H. Eubank, Assistant Secretary of State, has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications to the state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the new rule.

Mr. Eubank also has determined that for the first five-year period the new rule is in effect the public benefit expected as a result of adoption of the proposed new rule will be that the new rule is located in the early-voting subchapter, which is its most logical location, and should be easier for the public to reference. There will be no effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There will be no anticipated economic cost to the state or local governments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State, Ann McGeehan, Director for Elections, P.O. Box 12060, Austin, Texas 78711.

The new rule is proposed under the Texas Election Code, §31.003, which authorizes the Office of the Secretary of State to obtain and maintain uniformity in the application, interpretation, and operation of provisions under the Texas Election Code and other election laws.

No other article, statute, or code is affected by these this proposed new rule.

§81.35. Voting from Outer Space.

(a)

A person who meets the eligibility requirements of a voter under the Texas Election Code, Chapter 101, but who will be on a space flight during the early-voting period and on election day, may vote under this chapter. In order to vote by this method, the voter must apply by a Federal Postcard Application ("FPCA") and meet the requisite deadlines under state law. The FPCA may be submitted by fax or other electronic means.

(b)

The use of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's electronic transmission program to send ballots to persons on a space flight is authorized.

(1)

The ballot must be generated in the County Clerk's or Elections Administrator's Office with an embedded password.

(2)

The ballot is electronically sent to the Johnson Space Center, and forwarded electronically to the space mission. In the event a direct link is not possible, such as with Space Station Mir, the ballot shall be forwarded to Russia or another appropriate source as determined by NASA and the Office of the Secretary of State, and then uplinked to the Space Station Mir or other space station as applicable.

(c)

The voter then opens the ballot with the password and votes the ballot.

(d)

The file in which the vote--without the ballot--is saved is then downlinked to Johnson Space Center. The vote is then electronically transmitted to the County Clerk's or Elections Administrator's Office. If the County Clerk's or Elections Administrator's office is not capable of receiving the vote electronically, the vote shall be electronically transmitted to the Office of the Secretary of State for forwarding to the appropriate county.

(e)

Upon receipt by the county, the file is printed and then duplicated on a blank ballot. The original electronic file and printed file must be preserved with the regular election records. The duplicated ballot is counted on election day with the other ballots cast from the outer space voter's precinct.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 19, 2000.

TRD-200002799

Jeffrey H. Eubank

Assistant Secretary of State

Office of the Secretary of State

Earliest possible date of adoption: June 4, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5561