The secretary of state must set rules for public notice of voters’ rights and keep the notice’s form, content, and updates accurate. The notice must tell voters about several listed rights and complaint/reporting options.
Sec. 62.0115. PUBLIC NOTICE OF VOTERS' RIGHTS. (a) The secretary of state shall adopt rules providing for publicizing voters' rights as prescribed by this section. The rules must require that a notice of those rights be publicized: (1) by being posted by an election officer in a prominent location at each polling place; (2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state; (3) through material published by the secretary of state; or (4) in another manner designed to give voters notice of their rights. (b) Except as revised by the secretary of state under Subsection (d), the notice must state that a voter has the right to: (1) vote a ballot and view written instructions on how to cast a ballot; (2) vote in secret and free from intimidation; (3) receive up to two additional ballots if the voter mismarks, damages, or otherwise spoils a ballot; (4) request instructions on how to cast a ballot, but not to receive suggestions on how to vote; (5) bring an interpreter to translate the ballot and any instructions from election officials; (6) receive assistance in casting the ballot if the voter: (A) has a physical disability that renders the voter unable to write or see; or (B) cannot read the language in which the ballot is written; (7) cast a ballot on executing an affidavit as provided by law, if the voter's eligibility to vote is questioned; (8) report an existing or potential abuse of voting rights to the secretary of state or the local election official; (9) except as provided by Section 85.066(b), Election Code, vote at any early voting location in the county in which the voter resides in an election held at county expense, a primary election, or a special election ordered by the governor; and (10) file an administrative complaint with the secretary of state concerning a violation of federal or state voting procedures. (c) The notice must also state: (1) the information relating to the voting rights hotline required under Section 31.0055; and (2) any other information that the secretary of state considers important for a voter to know. (d) The secretary of state shall prescribe the form and content of the notice in accordance with this section. The secretary of state shall revise the content of the notice as necessary to ensure that the notice accurately reflects the law in effect at the time the notice is publicized. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 510 (H.B. 719), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.