HBA-JEK H.B. 1779 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1779
By: Bailey
Elections
4/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires that a person voting in an election be registered to
vote before the 30th day preceding the election.  Allowing persons to
register to vote at their precinct polls on election day would be
convenient for many voters and might increase voter participation.  House
Bill 1779  authorizes a person to register and be accepted for voting at
the precinct polling place of the person's residence on election day if the
person submits an appropriate voter registration application and proof of
identification. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1779 amends the Election Code to require that a person who would
be eligible to vote, except for the requirement to be a registered voter,
be accepted for voting in the precinct of the person's residence if, on the
day the person offers to vote, the person submits an appropriate voter
registration application and either presents documentation of proof of
identification that establishes the person's residence or submits an
affidavit as described in the bill.  The bill requires persons voting under
these provisions to be processed separately at the polling place from
persons who are voting under regular procedures.  The bill requires the
secretary of state to prescribe the procedures necessary to implement these
provisions and to ensure the proper and orderly conduct of elections.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.