Texas House Bill HB2498

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

• Filed: 2/17/23

Caption

Relating to the conduct and administration of elections; providing a civil penalty.

Impact

The proposed changes will impose a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day that counties fail to comply with the new rule about livestreaming video surveillance of ballot processing areas. This enforcement mechanism is intended to promote accountability among election officials, aiming to ensure that all actions taken during the election process are transparent and accessible to the public. Moreover, the bill emphasizes the importance of proper documentation related to ballots, including chain of custody records, which will bolster the integrity of election practices in the state.

Summary

House Bill 2498 introduces several amendments to the Texas Election Code, primarily targeting the administration and conduct of elections. The bill mandates that if a county assigns county certification numbers to voters, it can no longer assign more than one such number to each voter. This is aimed at streamlining voter identification and ensuring accuracy in the registration process. Additionally, the bill requires a written confirmation notice to be sent to voters who have multiple county certification numbers, ensuring transparency and proper communication between registrars and voters.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding HB 2498 show a predominantly positive sentiment among proponents who argue that the bill enhances election integrity and voter confidence in the electoral process. Advocates commend the push for increased transparency and accountability in election administration. However, there are concerns raised by some advocacy groups about the potential for civic disenfranchisement due to strict penalties and administrative burdens this bill may impose on county registrars.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the enforcement of penalties against counties that may struggle to comply with the new regulations due to lack of resources or potential administrative errors. Critics argue that the civil penalties could lead to disproportionate consequences for counties, particularly in areas with fewer resources. Furthermore, the conversation around the balance between maintaining strict oversight and ensuring that voting access is not hindered remains a key concern in discussions of HB 2498.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

• Chapter 18. Procedures For Identifying Registered Voters
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 19. Financing Voter Registration
  • Section: 002

• Chapter 31. Officers To Administer Elections
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 33. Watchers
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 87. Processing Early Voting Results
  • Section: 101

• Chapter 127. Processing Electronic Voting System Results
  • Section: 1232

• Chapter 129. Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machines
  • Section: New Section