Bucy’s bill allowing same-day voter registration

The text as introduced · 560 words

89R1512 TSS-D

By: Bucy
H.B. No. 425

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and

related procedures.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Election Code, is

amended by adding Section 12.007 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.007. CERTAIN ELECTION OFFICERS ARE VOTER

REGISTRARS. The registrar shall appoint at least one election

officer serving each polling place for early voting by personal

appearance or on election day as a regular deputy registrar.

SECTION 2. Chapter 63, Election Code, is amended by adding

Section 63.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 63.010. REGISTRATION AT POLLING PLACE; VOTING

PROCEDURES. (a) Other applicable provisions of this code apply to

the conduct of voting and to the registration of voters under this

section to the extent those provisions do not conflict with this

section.

(b) A person who would be eligible to vote in an election

under Section 11.001, but for the requirement to be a registered

voter, shall be accepted for voting at a polling place at which the

person would be allowed to vote if registered if, on the day the

person offers to vote, the person:

(1) submits a voter registration application that

complies with Section 13.002 to a voter registrar at the polling

place;

(2) presents as proof of identification:

(A) a Texas driver's license, including a

temporary license or instruction permit, or personal

identification card issued to the person by the Department of

Public Safety that states the person's current address on the day

the person seeks to vote; or

(B) a utility bill addressed to the person dated

not earlier than the 30th day before the date the person seeks to

vote, and:

(i) a Texas driver's license, including a

temporary license or instruction permit, or personal

identification card issued to the person by the Department of

Public Safety, regardless of whether the address stated on the

license or card is current on the day the person seeks to vote;

(ii) a United States passport issued to the

person; or

(iii) a United States military

identification card that contains the person's photograph; and

(3) executes an affidavit stating that the person:

(A) is eligible to vote in the election; and

(B) is voting only once in the election.

(c) Persons voting under this section shall be processed

separately at the polling place from persons who are voting under

regular procedures.

(d) The secretary of state shall adopt rules to ensure the

accountability of election officers and to fairly implement this

section.

SECTION 3. Section 85.031(a), Election Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(a) For each person entitled to vote an early voting ballot

by personal appearance or who is entitled to register at a polling

place , the early voting clerk shall follow the procedure for

accepting a regular voter on election day, with the modifications

necessary for the conduct of early voting.

SECTION 4. The secretary of state shall adopt rules as

required by Section 63.010, Election Code, as added by this Act, not

later than February 1, 2026.

SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

an election for which early voting by personal appearance begins on

or after February 1, 2026.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.