SB 1541 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to state oversight of county elections following a county election audit.

SB 1541 gives Texas' Secretary of State the authority to impose state oversight on county election offices in counties with over 4 million residents when recurring election problems are found. This applies after a complaint is filed by candidates, party officials, or judges, the county is notified, and an investigation confirms repeated issues like voting machine malfunctions, ballot counting errors, or violations of election laws. The Secretary must decide within 30 days whether to implement oversight. The bill directly affects large-county election administration, creating a formal process for state intervention without requiring a full election audit.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Last action May 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 15, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates the Texas Election Code to modernize administrative oversight procedures for county elections, particularly in large counties. It clarifies when the Secretary of State can intervene, standardizes complaint handling timelines, and adds new provisions for monitoring compliance with remediation plans.

Scope change

The bill expands and clarifies the scope of administrative oversight by adding new subsections for monitoring compliance plans and updating thresholds for when oversight can be initiated.

REQUIREMENT

Updated Section 31.017 to clarify when the Secretary of State can order administrative oversight, specifically adding conditions about recurring patterns of problems and proper complaint filing procedures.

Added new Section 31.020(f) establishing specific timelines for when administrative oversight ends, including a new option for oversight termination when problems are rectified.

Added new Section 31.037(b) allowing the Secretary of State to terminate employment of county elections administrators if recurring problems persist and impede voting rights.

Added new Section 127.351(e-1) creating a compliance monitoring mechanism for remediation plans, allowing the Secretary to order oversight if counties fail to implement plans adequately.

TIMELINE

Modified Section 127.351(e) to update audit finding procedures and add options for auditing other elections when recurring problems are identified.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

24–6

Passed

Total votes 30

Apr 15, 2025

D Democratic10

4 Yea 6 Nay

60% Nay

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

May 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

May 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Committee

Referred to Elections

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor