Texas Senate Bill SB362

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

• Filed: 12/19/16

Caption

Relating to the use of information from the lists of noncitizens excused or disqualified from jury service.

Impact

By establishing a systematic approach to monitoring and compiling data on noncitizens, SB362 aims to create a more robust framework for maintaining election integrity in Texas. The amendments include directives for clerks of the court to maintain and report lists of noncitizens excused from jury service to the Secretary of State, voter registrars, and local district attorneys, thus escalating accountability and transparency in handling voter registrations and eligibility checks. This could lead to more rigorous assessments of voter eligibility and potentially reduce the incidences of illegal voting.

Summary

SB362 introduces amendments to the Election Code and the Government Code concerning the treatment of noncitizens excused or disqualified from jury service. This legislation mandates the Secretary of State to conduct annual comparisons of voting history information against lists of individuals disqualified from jury service based on their noncitizen status. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that those who are not eligible to vote are not inadvertently participating in elections, thereby enhancing the integrity of the electoral process.

Contention

While proponents of SB362 argue that the bill will secure the electoral process by safeguarding against unauthorized voting practices, critics have expressed concerns regarding its implications. Detractors highlight the risk of disenfranchising legitimate voters due to potential administrative errors or biases in the classification of noncitizens. Furthermore, the potential for misuse of the information derived from these lists raises alarms about privacy and the impact on community relations. The requirement for clerks to send lists of noncitizen disqualifications could be perceived as a way of targeting specific groups rather than serving to protect the integrity of elections.

Additional_notes

Overall, SB362 symbolizes an ongoing push among certain legislative factions to tighten voting regulations in Texas, reflecting broader national conversations about voter eligibility and election security. As this bill progresses in the legislative process, it will be essential to monitor its implications for constituency engagement and public trust in electoral outcomes.