Bill > HB649

This bill modifies Texas election laws to allow voters who are absent from their county of residence to receive their early voting ballot by electronic transmission via email. Specifically, the bill adds a provision that permits voters to request balloting materials (including the ballot, instructions, envelope guidance, and write-in candidate lists) to be sent electronically when applying for an early voting ballot. The electronic ballot can be sent in a portable document format or another method authorized by the secretary of state. To protect voter privacy, the email address used for this purpose will be kept confidential and not considered public information. The bill requires that even if a ballot is received electronically, it must still be returned by mail or common carrier to be counted. Voters electing this method will need to provide an email address on their early voting ballot application, and the secretary of state is tasked with developing procedures to implement these new electronic transmission rules. The changes to the election code will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving election officials time to prepare for the new system.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB649