Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

6 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

SB 924 - Combination of election precincts

SB 994 - Candidate ineligibility for failure to pay filing fee or submit petition in lieu of the filing fee

SB 1052 - Compensation of an election judge or clerk

SB 1054 - Trial requirements in contesting an election on a proposed constitutional amendment

SB 1070 - Interstate voter registration crosscheck program

SB 1089 - Repealing the ability to declare certain unopposed candidates for office as elected

6 bills that modify the Election Code

Published: 2025-03-05

SB 924

Combination of election precincts

This applies to counties with a population of less than 1.2 million and does not participate in countywide polling place program. It permits the county commissioner to combine precincts as long as it adequately serves all the voters. The combined precincts may not contain more than 10,000 registered voters.

SB 994

Candidate ineligibility for failure to pay filing fee or submit petition in lieu of the filing fee

Failure to pay the filing fee, or a petition in lieu of, can make a candidate ineligible for being on the ballot. This cannot be used after the 74th day preceding the election. A replacement candidate can be made as long as they meet the filing fee requirement.

SB 1052

Compensation of an election judge or clerk

An election judge or clerk may not be paid for more than 2 hours prior to the polls opening.

SB 1054

Trial requirements in contesting an election on a proposed constitutional amendment

A trial date may not be later than the 180th day post the contested election. The contestant may way the earlier than 45 days rule. An appeal must be completed no later than 180 days after the date the judgment becomes final.

SB 1070

Interstate voter registration crosscheck program

This is also known as the Alan Vera Memorial Act.

The secretary of state was already required to cooperate with other states and jurisdictions to maintain statewide voter registration list and prevent duplication of registration in more than 1 state or jurisdiction. They are now required to ensure qualifications for voting and to compare for registration in more than 1 state. The secretary of state must identify and contract with a private sector entity to identify voters whose address has changed, are registered in more than 1 state, who are deceased, or who are not qualified to vote. The private sector entity must demonstrate the ability to work with registered voter identification and matching systems.

The system and the entity must comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Help America Vote Act of 2002; all state and federal laws relating to protection of personal information. The cost for the system to start may not exceed $100,000. The continuing costs may not exceed $1 per each voter identified. No information that is not maintained on the voter roll and necessary to identify voters may be provided.

The information obtained must be provided to the legislature in a report by the first day of each quarter of the state's fiscal year.

The secretary of state must use data from the National Change of Address database to identify voters whose address has changed.

SB 1089

Repealing the ability to declare certain unopposed candidates for office as elected

Repealed section no longer listed

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.