Bill > HB4291

This bill modifies Texas Election Code provisions related to early voting ballot boards and signature verification committees, focusing on their composition, procedures, and operations. The bill requires these boards to have an odd number of members, with equal representation from the two political parties that received the most votes in the most recent gubernatorial election. It establishes new voting procedures, including that the presiding judge serves as a non-voting member except to break ties, and mandates that board members take an oath to objectively evaluate voter ballots and ensure voter intent is respected. The bill introduces requirements that committee members cannot serve on both the early voting ballot board and signature verification committee in the same election, and it extends the timeline for ballot processing, allowing boards to begin reviewing mail-in ballots up to 20 days before election day but requiring the first review to occur no later than 11 days before election day. Additionally, the bill specifies that both political parties must be equally represented during key decision-making processes, such as signature verification, and provides detailed guidelines for handling vacancies and resolving potential voting imbalances. These changes aim to ensure more balanced and transparent processing of mail-in ballots and early voting procedures.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4291