Texas House Bill HB4402

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the date of the general election for state and county officers.

Impact

The implementation of HB4402 will streamline the election process in Texas, ensuring that elections are consistently held at specified intervals. This change is intended to improve voter participation by establishing a regular schedule for voters to expect elections, thereby reducing confusion regarding election dates. By setting these dates firmly in state law, the bill aims to enhance the organization of electoral processes for both state and county offices.

Summary

House Bill 4402 amends the Election Code in Texas to establish specific dates for the general election and primary elections for state and county officers. The bill states that the general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. Furthermore, it sets the date for general primary elections to the first Tuesday in September of each odd-numbered year, with runoff primary elections taking place on the fourth Tuesday in September following the general primary.

Contention

While the bill appears to provide clarity in election scheduling, there may be contention that arises around its potential impact on voter turnout. Critics might argue that moving the primary elections from March to September could disengage certain voter demographics who might be accustomed to voting in March, leading to lower participation rates in primary elections. Furthermore, there could be discussions around how these changes affect local election authorities and their administrative planning.