Texas Senate Bill SB1215

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to election practices and procedures; creating a criminal offense; creating a civil penalty.

Impact

The bill has significant implications for the administration of elections in Texas. One of its key components is the establishment of a state elections tribunal charged with hearing and resolving disputes related to election administration. This tribunal is composed of appointed experts in election law. The board can suspend election officials who violate election codes and has the authority to enforce compliance through injunctions. As a result, election practices are expected to become more consistent and potentially more accountable under this new oversight structure.

Summary

SB1215 aims to enhance the integrity and administration of elections in Texas by establishing uniform election procedures and stringent penalties for vote harvesting activities. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to prescribe model election procedures that election officials must follow. These procedures are designed to be tailored according to county populations and are intended to create a standardized approach to managing elections across the state. Furthermore, deviations from these model procedures are deemed presumptively invalid unless authorized by a state elections tribunal.

Contention

A particularly controversial aspect of SB1215 is its provisions against paid vote harvesting, which classify the solicitation or offer of compensation for vote harvesting services as a third-degree felony. Critics argue that these new penalties may have a chilling effect on lawful outreach efforts to voters, particularly in marginalized communities where such practices have been commonly utilized. Additionally, the thresholds for legal action against unlawful vote harvesting services raise concerns about the potential for abuse, as these could be used strategically in political contests to challenge opponents based on aggressive interpretations of the bill.