Texas House Bill HB3046

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the correction of voter registration records following a change of address submitted to the United States Postal Service.

Impact

If enacted, HB3046 would impact the workflow of local election officials by establishing clearer protocols for addressing changes in voter information. The amendment specifically mandates registrars to regularly obtain information from USPS regarding address changes affecting registered voters. This is expected to help reduce the number of inaccuracies in voter registration, thereby potentially increasing voter participation and confidence in the electoral process.

Summary

House Bill 3046 proposes amendments to the Texas Election Code specifically concerning the correction of voter registration records following an address change notified through the United States Postal Service (USPS). The bill streamlines the process by which election registrars must update voter registration records based on address changes reported to them by USPS. This is intended to ensure that voter registration records are accurate and up-to-date, reflective of the current residency of voters.

Contention

While amendments aimed at improving voter registration accuracy generally receive support, there may be points of contention related to privacy concerns and the impact on local governance. Some stakeholders worry that the aggregation of address change data from USPS might lead to misuse or a breach of privacy for voters. Additionally, the implementation of such changes may require local jurisdictions to adjust their practices, leading to concerns about compliance costs and training needs for election staff.