Texas House Bill HB4842

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/13/25

Caption

Relating to the conduct and administration of elections.

Impact

In terms of its impact on state laws, HB4842 amends various sections of the Election Code to facilitate more flexible administration of elections by allowing counties to combine election precincts. Specifically, it enables county commissioners' courts to merge precincts for elections, which aims to enhance efficiency in administering electoral processes. By allowing precincts to range in size, the bill also addresses logistical challenges faced by counties in managing elections in areas with fluctuating registered voter populations.

Summary

House Bill 4842 addresses significant components related to the administration and conduct of elections within the state of Texas. The bill introduces measures to protect certain voting-related information from public disclosure, emphasizing the confidentiality of data associated with specific polling locations. This amendment that enshrines information on ballots as confidential aims to bolster voter privacy, potentially increasing public confidence in the electoral process.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between protecting voter information and ensuring transparency in electoral administration. Some lawmakers express concern that withholding specific polling place information could hinder transparency and create opportunities for allegations of election mismanagement. Additionally, by regulating the criteria around write-in candidates, the bill appears to centralize control over local election processes, raising eyebrows among advocacy groups and political parties that support broader accessibility in candidate nomination procedures. These provisions may lead to debates on individual rights to participate in elections effectively.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Election Code

• Chapter 1. General Provisions
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 32. Election Judges And Clerks
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 42. Election Precincts
  • Section: 0051

• Chapter 43. Polling Places
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 65. Counting Votes And Preparing Returns
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 171. Organization
  • Section: New Section
  • Section: 0231
  • Section: 028

• Chapter 172. Primary Elections
  • Section: 023