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
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 2619 establishes an online voter registration system for Texas residents, allowing people to submit registration applications via the state's official website. It provides two pathways: applicants with a Texas driver's license or ID card must confirm their information is true and agree to use their existing signature for registration, while those without ID must print, sign, and mail a form while receiving information about obtaining an ID. The bill requires digital signature verification for ID holders and mandates security rules to protect application integrity. All electronic applications will be treated as mail-in submissions under existing election law, with website notices about voter registration fraud offenses.
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Elections
HB 1152 amends Texas election law to allow electronic or photocopied signatures on mail ballot carrier envelopes for voters unable to sign by hand. It specifically permits these alternatives for accessibility, ensuring individuals with physical limitations can still vote by mail without invalidating their ballot. The bill applies directly to mail-in voters and to people assisting voters who deposit ballots in the mail. Key provisions require signatures to be in ink on paper unless an accommodation is necessary, with the change taking effect September 1, 2025. This update modifies existing signature requirements in Sections 86.005 and 86.0051 of the Election Code.
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Elections
HB 242 creates a new criminal offense for obtaining personally identifiable voter information that connects a voter to their specific ballot choices, violating the constitutional right to a secret ballot. It makes this a third-degree felony, with exceptions for election officials acting within their official duties and for court-ordered access during election disputes. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), and does not affect past actions. This directly affects individuals or entities attempting to access or collect such private voting data without legal authorization.
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Elections
