Bill > HB1013

This bill, known as the Election Accuracy, Transparency, and Accountability Act, proposes several significant changes to Texas election procedures. The bill modifies voting timelines by extending in-person voting to 9 consecutive days, reduces the maximum number of registered voters per election precinct from 5,000 to 2,000, and mandates strict polling place requirements, such as prohibiting polling locations in candidates' residences or businesses, and requiring polling places to be in secure, lockable rooms. The legislation introduces comprehensive hand-counting procedures for elections, requiring all votes to be counted manually, video-recorded, and verified by bipartisan teams, with provisions for public review of video recordings within 30 days of the election. Additionally, the bill increases penalties for election-related offenses, making certain violations state jail felonies or Class A misdemeanors, and imposes stringent requirements on ballot printing, including using Texas-based printers and maintaining detailed chain of custody documentation. The bill also eliminates early voting by personal appearance and mandates more detailed record-keeping, voter identification, and polling place security measures. Notably, the bill provides mechanisms for voters to challenge election results if errors are discovered in the vote counting process, including the ability to file lawsuits and potentially initiate recall proceedings against election officials who fail to address identified errors.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1013