Texas House Bill HB1735

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to requests for a list of annual vote-by-mail voters.

Impact

This legislation is expected to impact the management of election processes in Texas positively. By clarifying the rules around requests for voter information, it promotes greater transparency and accountability within the electoral framework. The new measures allow for better tracking of mail-in voting practices, which can help improve voter outreach and education efforts, ultimately enhancing participation in elections. Local election officials will have a clear framework for fulfilling these requests, reducing ambiguity and potential disputes.

Summary

House Bill 1735 amends the Election Code regarding requests for lists of voters who utilize vote-by-mail services in Texas. The bill facilitates access to information about voters who have requested mail-in ballots for recent and upcoming elections. It establishes a clear procedure for officials to follow when handling these requests, aiming to enhance the transparency of the electoral process. Specifically, the early voting clerk must provide a list of voters who received mail-in ballots during the most recent election and those eligible for mail ballots in future elections.

Contention

While proponents of HB1735 argue that increasing access to voter information will bolster the integrity of elections and promote public confidence in the vote-by-mail system, there are concerns regarding privacy and potential misuse of voter information. Some critics may raise issues about how this information could be used, especially regarding targeting and outreach efforts by political parties or organizations. Balancing transparency with voter privacy will be a significant topic of discussion as the bill moves through the legislative process.