HB 1780
AN ACT relating to postage for early voting ballots voted by mail.
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires that official carrier envelopes for mail-in ballots be prepared to allow free postage for voters, eliminating any postal costs for returning early voting ballots. The Secretary of State must develop rules to implement this change, and carrier envelopes must clearly indicate that return postage is prepaid. This change will make voting by mail more accessible by removing the financial barrier of postage, potentially increasing voter participation, particularly for voters with limited financial resources.
Bill Text
relating to postage for early voting ballots voted by mail. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 86.002, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a-1) The officially prescribed carrier envelope shall be prepared so that it can be mailed free of United States postage. The secretary of state shall adopt rules necessary for the administration of this subsection. SECTION 2. Section 86.013(a), Election Code, is amended to (a) "Carrier Envelope for Early Voting Ballot," the name and official title of the early voting clerk as addressee, [and] the clerk's official mailing address, and an indication that return postage for the envelope and balloting materials is prepaid must be printed on the face of each official carrier envelope for a ballot SECTION 3. Section 86.002(e), Election Code, is repealed. SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act. An election ordered before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to postage for early voting ballots voted by mail.
Related Guides
Learn more about tracking Texas legislation and working with lobbyists.
How to Read & Track Texas Bills
Master bill numbering, understand legislative language, and learn effective tracking strategies.
Understanding Texas Legislative Deadlines
Navigate the 140-day session with critical calendar dates and filing deadlines.
How Laws Get Made in Texas
Follow a bill's journey from filing to the governor's desk through committees and floor votes.
When Should Your Business Hire a Lobbyist?
Discover the signs that your business needs professional advocacy at the Texas Capitol.