Tabulating BBMs

Source County Number of Ballots Coded as Returned Undeliverable

1120 By Mail Ballot List - Public Harris County

1120_Absentee_List_all return codes_(a_reqexp_SOS_TC) Tarrant County 2,115

228

Figure 8-1: Undeliverable BMMs by County

The EVBB opens the container for the mail ballots that are to be counted by the board, and removes all contents. The EVBB counts the ballots and prepares the returns in accordance with the procedure applicable to paper ballots cast at a precinct polling place.329

The EVBB delivers to the central counting station the container for the early voting electronic system ballots that are to be counted by automatic tabulating equipment. The EVBB may not open the container as it is being delivered.

The EVBB places ballot envelopes containing an accepted mail ballot in the ballot box containing the early voted ballots by personal appearance. If the procedure for counting the early voting votes cast by personal appearance is different from that for counting the votes by mail, then those ballot envelopes are placed in a separate container.330

Ballots that are 1) cast from an address outside the United States, 2) placed for delivery prior to the deadline for mail-in ballots, and 3) arrive no later than the 5th day after an election are still eligible to be counted. The EVBB convenes to count late ballots.331 This typically occurs on or before the ninth day after election day and the EVBB must report the results to the local canvassing authority.332

329 Tex. Elec. Code § 87.062. 330 Tex. Elec. Code § 87.042 (c). 331 Tex. Elec. Code § 87.125. 332 Tex. Elec. Code § 87.125. The Texas Election Code also provides that the counting of late BBMs may occur at a date earlier than the ninth day after the election if the early voting clerk certifies all ballots from outside the United States have been received. Additionally, the code states that the EVBB shall convene no later than the 13th day after the election to process late ballots. In the event the date for convening the EVBB falls on a weekend or certain holidays, the EVBB convenes on the next regular business day.