Texas House Bill HB1953

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the canvass of election returns for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.

Impact

The modifications proposed by HB 1953 aim to ensure a more efficient and accountable process for canvassing election returns. By centralizing the canvassing authority with the attorney general, the bill is expected to create a clearer line of responsibility, potentially reducing the administrative burden on the legislature. The bill also emphasizes the importance of having timely access to accurate election results, which is critical for public trust in the electoral process.

Summary

House Bill 1953 is an act that amends various sections of the Texas Election Code to change the process by which election returns for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor are canvassed. The bill seeks to assign the responsibility of canvassing these election returns to the attorney general rather than the legislature, thereby streamlining the election canvassing process. This change reflects an effort to clarify the roles of state officials in determining election results, particularly in tight races where accuracy and timeliness are paramount.

Contention

Notably, the bill includes a provision that specifies if there is a discrepancy between the attorney general’s canvass and the votes tabulated by the secretary of state, the secretary must adjust the official records to align with the canvass conducted by the attorney general. This aspect of the bill may raise concerns about the balance of power and procedures for addressing discrepancies, particularly in contentious elections. It implies an overarching authority of the attorney general in electoral matters, which could raise questions about partisanship and oversight in future elections.