Election legislation roundup: Texas House of Representatives

By

Mercedes Yanora

As of Nov. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 201 election-related bills in the Texas House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 201, Ballotpedia tracked one from Nov. 20-26. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is below:   

  • TX HB109: Relating to the separation of federal elections from state and local elections, and to related practices and procedures, Rep. Mike Schofield (R).
    • “As introduced, this bill:
      • Establishes that a federal election (electing a U.S. Senator or U.S. House member) is a separate election from any other in the state.
      • Directs that a federal election ballot must be separate and may not include a proposition or other election on the ballot.
      • Directs that, as much as possible, federal elections and state elections should be held separately and concurrently using the same precincts.
      • Charges the secretary of state with adopting related rules that minimize disruption and confusion.
      • Directs the secretary of state to create a registration system for those who are qualified to vote under federal law but not under state law, and submits that those voters may only vote in federal elections.”
      • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.

During the week of Nov. 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked three House election-related bills nationally. As of Nov. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,801 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the Texas House of Representatives with 201, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Colorado House of Representatives with seven. 

As of Nov. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 791 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 759 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 251 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control. 

The Texas House was scheduled to be in regular session from Jan. 10 to May 29 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked zero House bills related to election administration. Texas is a Republican trifecta.

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