HB 4728 requires all Texas counties to use hand-marked paper ballots for every election, eliminating electronic poll lists and ending the countywide polling place program. It directly affects every county in Texas, particularly those previously exempt under Section 42.0051(a) (populations under 1.2 million not using countywide polling centers). The bill repeals the exception allowing electronic systems in certain counties, mandating paper ballots statewide. Key mechanisms include removing the countywide program exemption and requiring election officials to provide written ballot instructions and assistance options for voters.
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Elections
HB 1439 allows eligible disabled voters in Texas to request and receive absentee ballot materials via email. It requires early voting clerks to send ballots and instructions in PDF or electronic format if voters submit a valid disability application, provide an email address, request by the seventh day before an election, and have no prior ballot received. The bill mandates that email addresses used for this process remain confidential and not publicly disclosed. It directly affects voters with disabilities who qualify for mail-in ballots under existing election code provisions. The bill creates new procedures for accessible voting but does not change eligibility requirements.
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Elections
People with Disabilities
HB 4288 amends Texas election law to change how election records are handled and inspected. It extends the period for public access to original voted ballots from 61 to 300 days after an election (starting September 1, 2025), while adding new privacy protections for certain voter information. Specifically, it prohibits disclosing poll list timestamps or spoiled ballot details (like voter names and ballot serial numbers) to protect voter privacy. The bill affects election officials who manage records, voters whose privacy is safeguarded, and the public who gains later access to ballot records. (Note: The bill failed committee vote in May 2025 but was reported favorably as substituted.)
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Elections
HB 3162 creates a new accessible absentee mail system for voters with disabilities who need assistive technology to mark ballots. It allows eligible voters (those qualifying under Section 82.002 for absentee voting due to health conditions) to use an electronic system approved by the Texas Secretary of State to mark, print, and submit ballots securely. The bill establishes strict standards for the system, including ballot secrecy, voter authentication using existing identification requirements, security against fraud, and requirements to prevent political advertising during voting. The Secretary of State must adopt rules for implementation and approve systems meeting these standards before they can be used in elections. This bill directly affects voters with disabilities who currently face barriers in marking absentee ballots independently.
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Elections
HB 4842 modifies Texas election administration by adding confidentiality protections for polling place-specific ballot data, requiring county election officials to keep this information private without needing attorney general approval. It allows counties with under 1.2 million residents to combine election precincts (with 2,000-10,000 registered voters each) and establishes a voluntary countywide polling place program for various elections. The bill also updates procedures for reconciling voter counts and certifying election returns. These changes directly affect county election officials and impact how polling locations are managed, but do not alter voter eligibility or voting methods.
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Elections
HB 952 requires all mail-in early voting ballots to include a unique electronic code that election officials can scan to verify authenticity. It mandates that clerks and ballot boards use electronic devices to check these codes against issued ballots before counting, rejecting any ballot with a mismatched code. The bill explicitly prohibits creating records linking individual voters to these codes, ensuring voter anonymity. This change applies to all mail-in ballots processed under Texas election law, taking effect September 1, 2025.
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Elections
SB 2216 requires political subdivisions (like counties and cities) that operate voting systems to store election equipment in locked rooms and apply security seals to prevent unauthorized access. It mandates that election officials document seal placements and any removals, including who accessed the equipment and why. The bill also adds polling location details to equipment inventory records. These requirements apply only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025.
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Elections
SB 77 requires polling places using electronic voting systems to provide voters with a paper ballot upon request, which must be printed immediately and scanned after voting. It bans the use of ballot marking devices entirely and prohibits electronic signatures, electronic poll lists, and electronic combination forms in elections. This bill directly affects voters and election officials in Texas counties that use electronic voting systems for elections held on or after September 1, 2025. The law mandates paper ballot access as an alternative to electronic voting, ensuring a physical ballot option for every voter who requests one.
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Elections
HB 1321 creates a state-run online voter registration system for Texas residents, allowing them to complete and submit registration applications via the official state website starting September 1, 2025. It provides two pathways: applicants with a Texas driver's license or ID card can confirm their information and use their license signature, while others must digitally sign their application. The bill requires the secretary of state to implement security measures, including using the state's electronic portal to verify identity and address, and mandates a clear warning about voter registration offenses on the website. Submitted applications will be treated the same as mailed applications under election law.
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Elections
HB 1834 requires election officials in Texas counties with fewer than 75,000 residents to use paper ballots for all elections. It mandates that these counties maintain operational ballot printers at every polling place to produce physical ballots and prohibits the use of electronic voting systems that do not require paper ballots. The bill directly affects small-county election operations, ensuring all ballots are printed on paper rather than relying solely on electronic systems. It takes effect on September 1, 2025.
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Elections
