Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Texas House Bill HB52

Filed

7/14/25

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to the separation of federal elections from state and local elections, and to related practices and procedures.

Impact

The legislation will require significant amendments to existing election codes, specifying that a federal election will be treated as a separate event. This separation means federal ballots will only include candidates for federal offices, while state and local propositions or offices will not appear alongside them. The objective is to facilitate clarity for voters and to ensure the integrity and organization of the electoral process for federal elections.

Summary

House Bill 52 focuses on the separation of federal elections from state and local elections, along with the related practices and procedures for conducting such elections. The bill aims to streamline the election process by creating distinct protocols for federal elections as opposed to state and local elections, thereby minimizing voter confusion and disruption. Among the key components is the definition of what constitutes a 'federal election', which includes primary and general elections for federal offices, specifically not including elections for state offices.

Contention

Critics of the bill may raise concerns about the possible implications it has for voter turnout and the overall accessibility of elections. By segregating federal elections, there might be confusion about the voting process, particularly for voters who may not understand the need for separate ballots. Moreover, enforcing strict separation could burden election officials with more logistical challenges, including managing concurrent elections at the same time and in the same places. Opponents may argue that it complicates rather than simplifies the electoral process.