HB 1854
AN ACT relating to the deadline for an early voting ballot board to
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
Modifies the timeline for early voting ballot boards to verify and count provisional and mail-in ballots, extending the deadline from the 9th to the 10th day after an election. The change affects election officials, who will now have slightly more time to process and determine the acceptance of provisional and mail-in ballots. If a ballot is rejected, the presiding judge must notify the voter at their residence address and email address (if applicable) within this new 10-day window.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the deadline for an early voting ballot board to determine whether to accept voters' ballots. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 65.051(a), Election Code, is amended to (a) The early voting ballot board shall verify and count provisional ballots as provided by this subchapter not later than the 10th [ninth] day after the date of an election. SECTION 2. Section 87.041, Election Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows: (h) The early voting ballot board shall determine whether to accept mail ballots as provided by this section not later than the 10th day after the date of an election. SECTION 3. Section 87.0431(a), Election Code, is amended to (a) Not later than the 10th day after the local canvass [election day], the presiding judge of the early voting ballot board shall deliver written notice of the reason for the rejection of a ballot to the voter at the residence address on the ballot application. If the ballot was transmitted to the voter by e-mail under Subchapter C, Chapter 101, the presiding judge shall also provide the notice to the e-mail address to which the ballot was SECTION 4. 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 the deadline for an early voting ballot board to
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.