Texas House Bill HB1834

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/14/25

Caption

Relating to the required use of paper ballots in certain counties.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to the regulations governing elections in smaller counties. By restricting these jurisdictions to a voting system that solely requires paper ballots, the bill aims to simplify the voting process and reduce the reliance on electronic systems that may pose challenges regarding trust and reliability. This reform could potentially increase voter participation and confidence in the electoral process among residents of these counties.

Summary

House Bill 1834 aims to mandate the use of paper ballots in counties within Texas that have a population of less than 75,000. The bill requires these counties to maintain operational printers at each polling place to facilitate the printing of additional ballots as needed. This legislative proposal seeks to enhance the integrity of the voting process in smaller jurisdictions by ensuring that voters have access to paper ballots, which are often seen as more reliable than electronic voting systems.

Contention

Although the bill presents a clear framework for election procedures in smaller counties, it may face opposition from proponents of electronic voting systems who argue that such technology can enhance efficiency and accessibility for voters. There may also be concerns about the financial implications for county authorities, who will need to allocate resources to maintain the printers and manage the logistics of paper balloting. Hence, discussions around HB 1834 could foreground debates over governmental spending and the best methods for facilitating secure elections.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

• Chapter 51. Election Supplies
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 123. Adoption And Acquisition Of Voting System
  • Section: New Section