# 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.34: 1 TAC § 81.34. Security of Early-Voting Ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f)

> Texas · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_34

## Section

- **Citation:** 1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.34
- **Heading:** 1 TAC § 81.34. Security of Early-Voting Ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f)
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Texas Administrative Code / Title 1 ADMINISTRATION / Part 4 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE / Chapter 81 ELECTIONS / 1 TAC § 81.34

## Text

(a) If the early-voting ballot board convenes before election
 day, the presiding judge shall, upon each adjournment of the board, lock and
 seal each ballot box prior to returning the boxes to the custodian of records.
 The judge shall complete a ballot-box security form showing each serial number
 used to seal each box. The form shall be signed by the judge and another early-voting
 ballot board member who have witnessed the procedure. In a general election
 for state and county officers, the early-voting ballot board member must be
 from a different political party than the judge. The custodian of records
 shall also sign the form.
(b) The presiding judge shall retain the key(s) used to lock
 the ballot box(es). In the event that the judge is unwilling to retain the
 key, the key shall be retained by the authority designated in accordance with §66.060(a)
 of the Code.
(c) Upon reconvening the ballot board, the presiding judge
 shall ensure that each ballot box is intact. The presiding judge shall follow
 these procedures each day except upon final delivery to the custodian of records
 or delivery to the central counting station.
(d) If it is impracticable for the ballot-board judge to deliver
 the ballot boxes each day upon adjournment, the authority conducting the election
 shall submit to the Office of the Secretary of State an alternative plan for
 the security of the ballots for approval.

## Nearby sections

- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.30 1 TAC § 81.30. Machines To Be Sealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_30.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.31 1 TAC § 81.31. List of Declared Write-in Candidates for Mail Ballots](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_31.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.32 1 TAC § 81.32. Late Convening of Early-Voting Ballot Board in Elections Other than General Election for State and County Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_32.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.33 1 TAC § 81.33. Late Convening of Early-Voting Ballot Board in Primary Elections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_33.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.34 1 TAC § 81.34. Security of Early-Voting Ballots under Election Code, §85.032(f)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_34.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.35 1 TAC § 81.35. Voting from Outer Space](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_35.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.36 1 TAC § 81.36. Counting Ballots Prior to Election Day in Counties with a Population of 100,000 or More](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_36.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.37 1 TAC § 81.37. Counting Late Ballots](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_37.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.38 1 TAC § 81.38. Administration of Voter Registration Associated with Address Confidentiality Program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_38.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.39 1 TAC § 81.39. E-mailing and Tracking Balloting Materials Required by the Federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_39.md)
- [1 Tex. Admin. Code § 81.40 1 TAC § 81.40. Federal Postcard Application as Application for Permanent Registration and FPCA Eligibility for Electronic Transmission of Image](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_40.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_TAC_T1_P4_C81_S81_34. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.