HB 3632

relating to the timely return of a ballot by mail.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 86.007(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), a marked ballot
voted by mail must arrive at the address on the carrier envelope:
(1)  before the time the polls are required to close on
(2)  not later than 12 a.m. [5 p.m.] on the day after
election day, if the carrier envelope was placed for delivery by
mail or common or contract carrier before election day and bears a
cancellation mark of a common or contract carrier or a courier
indicating a time not later than 7 p.m. at the location of the
SECTION 2.  Section 87.022, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 87.022.  TIME OF DELIVERY:  GENERAL RULE.  Except as
provided by Section 87.0221, 87.0222, 87.023, or 87.024, the
materials shall be delivered to the early voting ballot board under
this subchapter during the time the polls are open on election day,
or by 12 a.m. on the day after election day [as soon after the polls
close as practicable, at the time or times specified by the
SECTION 3.  Section 87.0222(a-1), Election Code, is amended
(a-1)  Any jacket envelopes of early voting ballots voted by
mail returned after delivery of the ballots under Subsection (a)
may be delivered to the presiding judge of the early voting ballot
board between the end of the ninth day before election day and 12
a.m. on the day after election day [the closing of the polls on
election day, or as soon after closing as practicable, at the time
or times specified by the presiding judge].
SECTION 4.  Section 87.023(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  In an election in which early voting ballots are to be
counted by automatic tabulating equipment at a central counting
station, the ballots voted by mail to be automatically counted may
be delivered to the board between the end of the period for early
voting by personal appearance and 12 a.m. on the day after the
election [the closing of the polls on election day, or as soon after
closing as practicable, at intervals specified by the presiding
SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
election ordered after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.