Bill > HB951

This bill modifies Texas Election Code to require voters to be officially affiliated with a political party in order to vote in that party's primary election or participate in party affairs. The bill establishes a new procedure for party affiliation where voters can declare their party preference when registering to vote or by notifying the voter registrar, with options to be affiliated with a political party or remain unaffiliated (listed as "independent"). Under the new rules, voters must be affiliated with a specific party to vote in that party's primary, serve as a party delegate, be a candidate in a party primary, or hold party leadership positions. Voters who vote in a primary election without being affiliated with the corresponding party could be charged with a criminal offense, ranging from a state jail felony to a second-degree felony depending on the specific circumstances. The bill mandates that voter registration documents, voter certificates, and voter lists will now include a field for political party affiliation. The changes will be implemented gradually, with voter registrars required to notify registered voters about the new affiliation requirements by October 1, 2025, and full implementation set for the 2026 election cycle. The bill aims to more strictly regulate political party participation and prevent voters from crossing party lines during primary elections.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB951