Bill > HB242

This bill creates a new criminal offense in the Texas Election Code that makes it illegal to disseminate personally identifiable voter information that reveals an individual's specific ballot selections, which would violate the constitutional right to a secret ballot. The offense is classified as a third-degree felony, with specific exceptions that allow such disclosure: when done by an election official performing their lawful duties, when ordered by a court, or with the voter's explicit permission. Additionally, the bill allows courts to impose consecutive sentences if the offender is convicted of this crime along with other related offenses stemming from the same criminal episode involving the misused voter information. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to offenses committed on or after that date. The bill aims to protect voter privacy by creating a strong legal deterrent against unauthorized sharing of individual voting records that could potentially expose a voter's private ballot choices.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB242