Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
5 bills that modify the Election Code
A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 88th Legislature Laws
The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.
Blog Summary
HB 1243 - Penalty for illegal voting
HB 1299 - Signature on a carrier envelope for voting by mail
HB 1631 - Hours of service by an election watcher
HB 1632 - Standardized training for election officers
HB 1848 - Study on the feasibility of counting stations complying with federal standards for facilities with sensitive information
5 bills that modify the Election Code
Published: 2025-02-20
HB 1243
Penalty for illegal voting
Illegal voting is now a second degree felony. An attempted illegal voting is a state jail felony.
HB 1299
Signature on a carrier envelope for voting by mail
The signature on the carrier envelope must be made using ink. It may not be an electronic signature or a photocopy.
If someone other than the voter places it in the mail or deposits with a common carrier, they must also sign using ink. They also may not use an electronic signature or a photocopy.
HB 1631
Hours of service by an election watcher
A watcher may now serve at a polling place during the hours they choose. The only exception is that if they are present for ballot counting, they must not leave until counting is complete.
HB 1632
Standardized training for election officers
The secretary of state must now have a published handbook that is available on their website, and is free of charge, for the standardized curriculum for election officer training. And there is also an online training program that requires the passage of an examination, and will provide a training certificate upon successful completion. The completion certificates are valid for at least 1 year.
County election officials, presiding or alternate election judges, election clerks, members of early voting ballot board, members of signature verification committee, and central counting station officers are not required to complete the training program.
The early voting board will have a standardized training program provided by the secretary of state. This is true for the signature verification committee and the members of the counting station. These are separate training programs.
HB 1848
Study on the feasibility of counting stations complying with federal standards for facilities with sensitive information
The feasibility of compliance with federal standards while permitting poll watching and other citizen involvement in election permitted under state law. The report was due December 15, 2024. So watch for any new bills that may modify existing state law so that the compliance can occur.
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