SB 2646

relating to requiring a voter to be affiliated with a political
party to vote in that party's primary election or otherwise
participate in that party's affairs; creating a criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 13.002(c), Election Code, is amended to
(c)  A registration application must include:
(1)  the applicant's first name, middle name, if any,
last name, and former name, if any;
(2)  the month, day, and year of the applicant's birth;
(3)  a statement that the applicant is a United States
(4)  a statement that the applicant is a resident of the
(5)  a statement that the applicant has not been
determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate
(A)  totally mentally incapacitated; or
(B)  partially mentally incapacitated without the
(6)  a statement that the applicant has not been
finally convicted of a felony or that the applicant is a felon
eligible for registration under Section 13.001;
(7)  the applicant's residence address or, if the
residence has no address, the address at which the applicant
receives mail and a concise description of the location of the
(8)  the following information:
(A)  the applicant's Texas driver's license number
or the number of a personal identification card issued by the
(B)  if the applicant has not been issued a number
described by Paragraph (A), the last four digits of the applicant's
(C)  a statement by the applicant that the
applicant has not been issued a number described by Paragraph (A) or
(9)  if the application is made by an agent, a statement
of the agent's relationship to the applicant; [and]
(10)  the city and county in which the applicant
(11)  the applicant's political party affiliation, if
SECTION 2.  Section 13.122(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  In addition to the other statements and spaces for
entering information that appear on an officially prescribed
registration application form, each official form must include:
(1)  the statement:  "I understand that giving false
information to procure a voter registration is perjury and a crime
(2)  a space for the applicant's registration number;
(3)  a space for the applicant's Texas driver's license
number or number of a personal identification card issued by the
(4)  a space for the applicant's telephone number;
(5)  a space for the applicant's social security
(6)  a space for the applicant's sex;
(7)  a statement indicating that the furnishing of the
applicant's telephone number and sex is optional;
(8)  a space or box for indicating whether the
applicant or voter is submitting new registration information or a
change in current registration information;
(9)  a statement instructing a voter who is using the
form to make a change in current registration information to enter
the voter's name and the changed information in the appropriate
(10)  a statement that if the applicant declines to
register to vote, that fact will remain confidential and will be
used only for voter registration purposes;
(11)  a statement that if the applicant does register
to vote, information regarding the agency or office to which the
application is submitted will remain confidential and will be used
only for voter registration purposes;
(12)  a space or box for indicating whether the
applicant is interested in working as an election judge;
(13)  a statement warning that a conviction for making
a false statement may result in imprisonment for up to the maximum
amount of time provided by law, a fine of up to the maximum amount
provided by law, or both the imprisonment and the fine; [and]
(14)  a space for the applicant's political party
(15)  any other voter registration information
required by federal law or considered appropriate and required by
SECTION 3.  Section 15.001(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  Each voter registration certificate issued must
(1)  the voter's name in the form indicated by the
voter, subject to applicable requirements prescribed by Section
13.002 and by rule of the secretary of state;
(2)  the voter's residence address or, if the residence
has no address, the address at which the voter receives mail and a
concise description of the location of the voter's residence;
(3)  the year of the voter's birth;
(4)  the number of the county election precinct in
(5)  the voter's effective date of registration if an
(6)  the voter's registration number;
(7)  an indication of the period for which the
(8)  a statement explaining the circumstances under
which the voter will receive a new certificate;
(9)  a space for indicating [stamping] the voter's
(10)  a statement that voting with the certificate by a
person other than the person in whose name the certificate is issued
(11)  a space for the voter's signature;
(12)  a statement that the voter must sign the
certificate personally, if able to sign, immediately on receipt;
(13)  a space for the voter to correct the information
on the certificate followed by a signature line;
(14)  the statement:  "If any information on this
certificate changes or is incorrect, correct the information in the
space provided, sign below, and return this certificate to the
(15)  the registrar's mailing address and telephone
(16)  the jurisdictional or distinguishing number for
the following territorial units in which the voter resides, as
determined by the voter registrar:
(B)  state senatorial district;
(C)  state representative district;
(F)  city election precinct; and
(G)  school district election precinct.
SECTION 4.  Section 15.025(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (d) and
Section 162.003, the registration of a voter described by this
subsection whose information is changed on the registration records
becomes effective as to the change on the 30th day after:
(1)  the date the voter submits to the registrar a
notice of a change in registration information under Section 15.021
or a response under Section 15.053, indicating the change; or
(2)  the date the voter submits a statement of
residence to an election officer under Section 63.0011 or a
registration application or change of address to an agency employee
under Chapter 20, indicating the change.
SECTION 5.  Section 18.005(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  Each original and supplemental list of registered
(1)  contain the voter's name, date of birth, and
registration number as provided by the statewide computerized voter
(2)  contain the voter's residence address, except as
provided by Subsections (b) and (c);
(3)  be arranged alphabetically by voter name; [and]
(4)  contain the notation required by Section 15.111;
(5)  contain the voter's political party affiliation,
SECTION 6.  Section 63.011(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  A person to whom Section 63.001(g), [or] 63.009, or
172.1115(c) applies may cast a provisional ballot if the person
executes an affidavit stating that the person:
(1)  is a registered voter in the precinct in which the
(2)  is eligible to vote in the election.
SECTION 7.  Section 112.002, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g)  If the voter seeks a limited ballot for a party primary
election, the voter must indicate the political party the voter was
affiliated with at the address where the voter was previously
registered on the statement executed under Subsection (c).  If the
early voting clerk can establish the voter's affiliation from the
previous registration, the voter is entitled to vote a limited
ballot in that party's primary.
SECTION 8.  Section 142.004(a), Election Code, is amended to
(a)  To be entitled to a place on the general election
(1)  make an application for a place on the ballot; and
(2)  not be affiliated with a political party at the
SECTION 9.  Section 142.008, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 142.008.  STATEMENT ON PETITION.  The following
statement must appear at the top of each page of a candidate's
petition:  "I know the purpose of this petition.  I am not
affiliated with a political party that holds a primary election
[have not voted in the general primary election or runoff primary
election of any political party that has nominated, at either
election, a candidate for the office of (insert office title) for
which (insert candidate's name) is a candidate]."
SECTION 10.  Section 142.009, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 142.009.  PETITION TO BE CIRCULATED AFTER PRIMARY.  A
signature on a candidate's petition is invalid if the signer:
(1)  signed the petition on or before general primary
election day or, if a runoff primary is held for the office sought
by the candidate, on or before runoff primary election day; or
(2)  is affiliated with a political party that holds a
primary election [voted in the general or runoff primary election
of a political party that made a nomination, at either primary, for
the office sought by the candidate].
SECTION 11.  Section 161.005(a), Election Code, is amended
(a)  To be eligible to be a candidate for or to serve as an
officer of a political party, a person must:
(1)  except as provided by Subsection (c), not be a
candidate for nomination or election to, or be the holder of, an
elective office of the federal, state, or county government; and
(2)  if the office is a county or precinct chair of a
political party, be a qualified voter of the county and affiliated
SECTION 12.  Section 162.001(a), Election Code, is amended
(a)  A person must be affiliated with a political party to be
(1)  to serve as a delegate to or otherwise participate
in a convention held by the party under this code;
(2)  to be elected as a member of or be appointed to
fill a vacancy on a state executive committee;
(3)  to be appointed to fill a vacancy on a county
(4)  to vote in the party's primary election;
(5)  to be a candidate in the party's primary election;
(6)  to be the party's nominee for an office elected at
the  general election for state and county officers;
(7)  to be a presidential elector for the political
(8) [(4)]  for any other purpose within the party as
SECTION 13.  Section 162.003, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 162.003.  AFFILIATION PROCEDURE [BY VOTING IN PRIMARY].
(a)  A person becomes affiliated with a political party by notifying
the registrar of the person's affiliation [when the person:
[(1)  is accepted to vote in the party's primary
[(2)  returns an early voting or limited primary ballot
(b)  At the time a person registers to vote the person may:
(1)  affiliate with a political party that holds a
primary election or a political party that makes its nominations by
convention regardless of whether the party has a state
(2)  indicate no affiliation with any political party.
(c)  A registered voter who does not indicate an affiliation
with a political party of this state shall be listed as
"independent" on the voter's registration certificate and on the
(d)  A registered voter may change the voter's affiliation
status by notifying the registrar as provided by Section 15.021.
(e)  An affiliation under this section takes effect on the
following second Monday in December.
(e-1)  A person may affiliate with a party when the person is
accepted to vote in the party's primary election.  This subsection
(f)  A person may also indicate a party affiliation at the
time the person submits a federal postcard application under
(g)  The secretary of state shall prescribe any additional
procedures necessary to implement this section.
SECTION 14.  Section 162.010(a), Election Code, is amended
(a)  A [Except as provided by Subsection (b), a] party
affiliation expires on cancellation of a voter's registration or at
the time a change in affiliation takes effect under Section 162.003
[at the end of the voting year in which the person became
SECTION 15.  Section 162.013, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 162.013.  VOID VOTE.  A vote in a primary election is
void if the voter is not affiliated with the political party holding
the primary [previously voted in a primary election of another
party or participated in a convention of another party during the
SECTION 16.  Sections 162.014(a), (c), and (d), Election
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly
votes or attempts to vote in a primary election or participates or
attempts to participate in a convention of a party without being
affiliated with that party [after having voted in a primary
election or participated in a convention of another party during
(c)  An offense under this section is a felony of the second
degree if the conduct constituting an offense under Subsection (a)
consists of knowingly voting in a primary election of a party
without being affiliated with that party [after having voted in a
primary election of another party during the same voting year].
(d)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony if
the conduct constituting an offense under Subsection (a) consists
of knowingly attempting to vote in a primary election of a party
without being affiliated with that party [after having voted in a
primary election of another party during the same voting year].
SECTION 17.  Section 162.017(e), Election Code, is amended
(e)  The preregistration process must [include the statement
described by Section 162.004(a) and] require a preregistering
attendee who is not affiliated with the party to affiliate with the
party in accordance with Section 162.003 [by taking the oath
described in Section 162.007(b)].
SECTION 18.  Section 172.021, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-3) and (d-1) to
(b)  In [An application must, in] addition to complying with
Section 141.031, an application must:
(1)  indicate that, at the time of the application, the
applicant is affiliated with the political party whose nomination
for office the candidate seeks; and
(2)  be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee or a
petition in lieu of the filing fee that satisfies the requirements
prescribed by Section 141.062.  [A political party may not require
payment of a fee as a condition to applying for a place on the ballot
as a candidate for county chair or precinct chair.]
(b-3)  A political party may not require payment of a fee
under this section as a condition to applying for a place on the
ballot as a candidate for county chair or precinct chair.
(d-1)  A signature on a petition under this section is not
valid if at the time of signing the signer is affiliated with a
political party other than the party whose nomination for office
the candidate seeks.  A signature on a petition under this section
is valid for purposes of this subsection if at the time of signing
the signer is unaffiliated with a political party.
SECTION 19.  Section 172.026, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 172.026.  RESTRICTION ON PETITION SIGNER.  On signing a
petition to be filed under Section 172.021, the signer becomes
ineligible to affiliate with [vote in a primary election or
participate in a convention of] another political party during the
voting year in which the primary election is held.
SECTION 20.  Section 172.027, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 172.027.  STATEMENT ON PETITION.  The following
statement must appear at the top of each page of a petition to be
filed under Section 172.021:  "I know that the purpose of this
petition is to entitle (insert candidate's name) to have his or her
name placed on the ballot for the office of (insert office title,
including any place number or other distinguishing number) for the
(insert political party's name) primary election.  I understand
that by signing this petition I become ineligible to affiliate with
another political party or to vote [in a primary election] or
participate in a primary election or convention of another party,
including a party not holding a primary election, during the voting
year in which this primary election is held."
SECTION 21.  Section 172.086, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 172.086.  PLEDGE ON BALLOT.  The following pledge shall
be placed on the primary election ballot above the listing of
candidates' names:  "I am a (insert appropriate political party)
and understand that I am ineligible to affiliate with another
political party or to vote or participate in another political
party's primary election or convention during this voting year."
SECTION 22.  Section 172.088(c), Election Code, is amended
(c)  A petition signer may not at the time of signing be
affiliated with another political party.  A political party by rule
may provide for permitting voters who are not affiliated with any
political party to be eligible to sign a petition under this section
[restricting petition signers on the basis of party alignment or
SECTION 23.  Effective September 1, 2026, Subchapter E,
Chapter 172, Election Code, is amended by adding Section 172.1115
Sec. 172.1115.  AFFILIATION WITH PARTY REQUIRED.  (a)  The
signature roster for a primary election must state at the top of
each page "A person commits a criminal offense if the person
knowingly votes in a primary election or participates in a
convention of a party without being affiliated with that party."
(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person may not
be accepted for voting in a primary election of a political party
(1)  the list of registered voters indicates that the
person is affiliated with that political party; or
(2)  the voter's registration certificate indicates
that the voter is affiliated with that political party.
(c)  A person who seeks to vote in a primary election but
cannot establish the person's party affiliation under Subsection
(b) may be accepted only for provisional voting under Section
SECTION 24.  Section 172.126(g), Election Code, is amended
(g)  A separate set of ballot boxes or other suitable
containers approved by the secretary of state shall be used for each
party's primary, except that one set of ballot boxes or other
containers may be used in a joint primary using an electronic voting
system in which the ballots are deposited by the voters directly
into a unit of automatic tabulating equipment.  [The lists of
registered voters and the voters' registration certificates shall
be marked and stamped to show the appropriate party affiliation for
each voter.]  A separate list of registered voters shall be used for
each party's primary.  The secretary of state by rule shall
prescribe requirements to ensure that one party's ballot is readily
distinguished from another's, which may include the use of
SECTION 25.  Sections 181.006(f) and (g), Election Code, are
(f)  The following statement must appear at the top of each
page of the petition:  "I know that the purpose of this petition is
to entitle the _______ Party to have its nominees placed on the
ballot in the general election for state and county officers.  I am
not affiliated with another political party.  [I have not voted in a
primary election or participated in a convention of another party
during this voting year, and I understand that I become ineligible
to do so by signing this petition.]  I understand that signing more
than one petition to entitle a party to have its nominees placed on
the general election ballot in the same election is prohibited."
(g)  A person who is affiliated with another political party
[has voted in a primary election or participated in a convention of
another party during the voting year in which the petition is
circulated] is ineligible to sign the petition, and the signature
SECTION 26.  Section 181.031(a), Election Code, is amended
(a)  To be entitled to be considered for nomination by a
convention held under this chapter, a person must:
(1)  make an application for nomination; and
(2)  be affiliated with the political party whose
nomination for office the candidate seeks.
SECTION 27.  Section 181.065, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 181.065.  PARTICIPANT TO BE AFFILIATED WITH PARTY
[REGISTERED VOTER].  To be eligible to participate in a precinct
convention held under this chapter, a person must be affiliated
with the political party [a registered voter of the precinct or a
precinct resident who is eligible to vote a limited ballot].
SECTION 28.  Section 182.0041(a), Election Code, is amended
(a)  To be entitled to be considered for nomination by a
convention held under this chapter, a person must:
(1)  make an application for nomination; and
(2)  be affiliated with the political party whose
nomination for office the candidate seeks.
SECTION 29.  Sections 192.032(f) and (g), Election Code, are
(f)  The following statement must appear at the top of each
page of the petition:  "I am not affiliated with a political party
that has held [did not vote this year in] a presidential primary
(g)  A signature on the petition is invalid if the signer:
(1)  signs the petition on or before the date of the
presidential primary election in the presidential election year; or
(2)  is affiliated with a political party that has held
[voted in] a presidential primary election during the presidential
SECTION 30.  Section 203.011, Election Code, is amended to
Sec. 203.011.  PARTY ALIGNMENT ON BALLOT.  The party
alignment of each candidate shall be printed on the official ballot
next to the candidate's name. If a candidate is affiliated with a
political party, that party shall be printed next to the
candidate's name regardless of the party alignment provided on the
application under Section 203.005(b).
SECTION 31.  The following provisions of the Election Code
(2)  Sections 162.004, 162.005, 162.006, 162.007,
(4)  Sections 162.011, 162.012, and 172.1141;
SECTION 32.  (a)  Not later than October 1, 2025, the voter
registrar of each county shall mail to each registered voter in the
county notice of the affiliation requirement necessary to vote in a
party primary election or to participate in the affairs of a
political party.  The notice must:
(1)  inform the voter that to vote in a party primary
election or to otherwise participate in the affairs of a political
party the voter must be affiliated with that party;
(2)  inform the voter of the process of affiliation
with the voter registrar and state that if a voter does not provide
an affiliation, the voter's next registration certificate will
indicate that the voter is "independent" and unable to vote in a
(3)  include a postage paid postcard that may be
returned to the voter registrar to indicate the voter's
(4)  be in the form prescribed by the secretary of
(b)  If a registered voter does not indicate a party
affiliation before December 11, 2025, the voter registrar shall
list the voter's initial affiliation status as "independent."  A
person whose initial affiliation status is established as
independent under this subsection may affiliate with a political
party, notwithstanding Section 162.001(a), Election Code, as
amended by this Act, by voting in a primary election in 2026.
(c)  The change in law made by Section 18.005(a), Election
Code, as amended by this Act, requiring that each list of registered
voters must indicate the political affiliation of each voter
applies only to a list of registered voters produced by a voter
registrar on or after December 11, 2025.
(d)  The change in law made by Section 15.001(a), Election
Code, as amended by this Act, requiring that each voter
registration certificate must indicate the political affiliation
of the voter applies only to a certificate effective for voting on
SECTION 33.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.