Texas House Bill HB3711

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of peace officers and private parties to prevent individuals from accessing private property for the purpose of registering voters or communicating political messages.

Impact

The bill is poised to enhance access to residents for political outreach initiatives, ensuring that individuals seeking to promote voter registration and political messages can do so without unnecessary interference. This provision may increase the visibility of political campaigns and encourage higher voter turnout by promoting direct communication with constituents at their homes. The stipulation that peace officers can only intervene if necessary for enforcing a criminal statute or reasonable restrictions ensures a level of accountability and protection of individual rights.

Summary

House Bill 3711 amends the Texas Election Code to delineate the authority of peace officers and private individuals regarding the prevention of access to private property for voter registration and political communication purposes. The bill allows individuals to engage in door-to-door activities aimed at assisting residents with voter registration or conveying support or opposition for political candidates and measures, while placing constraints on peace officers and private parties from obstructing such actions. The section emphasizes the preservation of political expression, particularly in residential areas.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB 3711 could arise from the balance between maintaining public order and protecting political expression. Opponents of the bill may argue that it opens avenues for intrusive political activity in residential spaces, potentially compromising the privacy and comfort of residents. Furthermore, the definition of reasonable restrictions under which officers may intervene can be subject to interpretation, which raises concerns about the potential for misuse of authority, leading to clashes between political advocates and law enforcement.