Texas House Bill HB1419

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/16/09

Caption

Relating to an application to run for political office.

Impact

The implementation of HB1419 is expected to have significant implications on how candidates conduct themselves during the electoral process. By disallowing amendments post-submission, the bill seeks to eliminate any potential for manipulation or ambiguity that could arise from late changes to application documents. This could foster an environment of transparency and trust in the electoral system, as voters can rely on the integrity of the submitted candidacies.

Summary

House Bill 1419 introduces amendments to the Texas Election Code relating specifically to the application process for candidates wanting to run for political office. The core changes established by this bill prohibit candidates from amending their applications after submission. This change aims to streamline the application process and ensure that submitted applications maintain a degree of consistency throughout the election cycle. Moreover, similar prohibitions are extended to petitions submitted in lieu of filing fees, reinforcing a strict adherence to original submissions.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention regarding HB1419 may arise from concerns about the inflexibility introduced in the candidate application process. Critics may argue that this could be especially burdensome for candidates who, due to unforeseen circumstances, might need to update their applications. The inability to amend applications may discourage some potential candidates from running, ultimately impacting the diversity of candidates on the ballot. Additionally, implementing such a rule may lead to increased challenges and disputes surrounding candidate eligibility as fixed applications could be subjected to interpretation, thereby necessitating a careful approach to the electoral administration.

Last_action

The last recorded action on this bill was on May 14, 2009, when it was considered in the Local & Consent Calendars.