Bill > HB3775

This bill modifies regulations for processing early voting ballots in Texas, specifically changing when election officials can open and count early voting ballots. For counties with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, ballot processing must wait until polls open on election day. For counties with populations of 1 million or more, ballot processing can begin at 7 a.m. on the sixth day before election day. The bill also introduces new chain of custody requirements, mandating that when ballot containers are sealed, the paperwork must be signed by the presiding judge, a board member from a different political party, and a poll watcher (if present). Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballot envelopes can be opened without defacing the carrier envelope, and allows accepted ballots not returned in the official envelope to be placed in an empty envelope. These changes will apply to elections held on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring a clear implementation timeline for election officials across Texas counties.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3775