SB 1209 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to election dates.

SB 1209 standardizes election dates in Texas by requiring all general and special elections to be held on Tuesdays, replacing previous Saturday or May election dates. It directly affects all Texas elections, including county, municipal, and school district elections, and requires political subdivisions (like cities and school boards) to switch their general election dates to the November uniform election date by December 31, 2025. Key provisions amend the Election Code to specify Tuesdays as the default election day (Section 41.001(e)), update runoff election timing (Section 2.025), and adjust deadlines for political subdivisions (Section 41.0052). The bill eliminates exceptions for May elections and aligns all elections with the November uniform date unless specifically exempted by law.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 8 edits · Apr 8, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas election laws to modernize election date requirements, primarily changing runoff elections from Saturdays to Tuesdays and updating various election timing provisions to align with current accessibility standards and practical scheduling needs.

Scope change

The bill applies to all general and special elections in Texas, including runoff elections, primary elections, and political subdivision elections.

REQUIREMENT

Runoff elections are now required to be held on a Tuesday designated by the secretary of state instead of a Saturday.

Election Code Section 41.001 heading was updated to reflect 'UNIFORM ELECTION DATE [DATES]' with revised subsections.

Election Code Section 41.004(a) was amended to clarify how special elections are scheduled when they must occur within a specific time period.

Election Code Section 41.0052(a) was updated regarding the deadline for political subdivisions to change their general election date to the November uniform election date.

Election Code Section 41.007(b) was amended to change the runoff primary election date from the fourth Tuesday in May to the second Tuesday in May following the general primary election.

Election Code Sections 203.013(c) and (e) were updated to maintain Tuesday-only requirements for ordered elections and runoff elections.

Several repealed provisions related to special election dates and uniform election date exceptions were removed.

TIMELINE

The act takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to Elections

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor