Bill > HB439

This bill introduces several new requirements and criminal penalties related to voter registration and mail-in ballot processing in Texas. It mandates that county voter registrars must retain voter registration applications for individuals removed from voter rolls and make these lists publicly available online in a searchable format. The bill requires registrars to create and maintain databases of voter lists on county websites, with potential criminal penalties (Class A misdemeanors) for non-compliance. For mail-in ballots, the bill changes signature verification procedures by requiring signature verification committees to not only compare signatures but also verify additional voter information across different documents. The bill also introduces new criminal offenses for election officials who fail to properly perform signature verification or record-keeping duties, such as early voting clerks who do not maintain comprehensive electronic records of ballot applications and envelopes. These new provisions are set to apply to elections ordered on or after September 1, 2025, and aim to enhance transparency and scrutiny in the voter registration and mail-in ballot processes.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB439