Election officers must give voting priority to certain voters with mobility problems, and related notices must be posted and worded as specified.
Sec. 63.0015. ACCEPTING VOTERS WITH CERTAIN DISABILITIES. (a) In this section, "mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate" has the meaning assigned by Section 681.001, Transportation Code. (b) An election officer shall accept a person with a mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate who is offering to vote before accepting others offering to vote at the polling place who arrived before the person. (c) Notice of the priority given to persons with a mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to ambulate shall be posted: (1) at each entrance to a polling place where it can be read by persons waiting to vote; (2) on the Internet website of the secretary of state; and (3) on each Internet website relating to elections maintained by a county. (d) The notice required by Subsection (c) must read: "Pursuant to Section 63.0015, Election Code, an election officer shall give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person's ability to move around. A person assisting an individual with a mobility problem may also, at the individual's request, be given voting order priority. Disabilities and conditions that may qualify you for voting order priority include paralysis, lung disease, the use of portable oxygen, cardiac deficiency, severe limitation in the ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition, wheelchair confinement, arthritis, foot disorder, the inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, or use of a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive device." (e) A person assisting a voter in accordance with Section 64.032(c) may be accepted to vote concurrently with a person accepted under Subsection (b) of this section at the voter's request. (f) All procedures and accommodations available for voters with disabilities, including voting under Section 64.009, shall be posted in an accessible manner on the county clerk's Internet website. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 980 (H.B. 658), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Redesignated from Election Code, Section 63.0013 by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 21.001(10), eff. September 1, 2019. Redesignated and amended by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 21.002(4), eff. September 1, 2019. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1066 (S.B. 477), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2023.