Bill > HB3113

This bill requires counties that conduct hand counts of paper ballots to use ballots that can be scanned and processed by optical scanning equipment. Specifically, the bill amends the Texas Election Code by adding a new section that mandates that in any election where a county manually counts paper ballots, those ballots must be designed to be compatible with optical scanning technology. This means the ballots will need to have machine-readable characteristics that allow them to be processed by a scanner, which can help improve efficiency and potentially provide a backup method of vote counting. The new requirement will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving counties time to adjust their ballot designs and procurement processes to comply with the new law.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3113