Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2023

CONTACT: press@securedemocracyusa.org

Texas House Advances Bills to Strengthen Texas Elections


AUSTIN, Texas  – Today, the House Elections Committee advanced several bills that help resolve ballot envelope issues and improve accessibility, transparency, and security for voters:

  • House Bill 4780 would improve ballot verification by moving important verification information from a cramped carrier envelope to an easier-to-read sheet inside the envelope

  • House Bill 3159 would allow for remote, accessible ballots for voters with disabilities

  • House Bill 1208 allows for a child under the age of 14 to assist a parent in reading and marking a ballot

Secure Democracy USA’s Senior Policy Director Daniel Griffith released the following statement:

"Texas lawmakers have made much-needed progress in addressing voter access, transparency, and security this session. Notably, Chairman Reggie Smith’s House Bill 4780, which would move important voter information from absentee ballot envelopes to an easier-to-read sheet inside the envelope, would provide a critical fix to an issue that saw more than 10,000 ballots rejected in last year's midterm election. 

“With the additions of H.B. 3159 and H.B. 1208, which would strengthen voting opportunities for Texans with disabilities and those in need of language or reading assistance, and S.B. 1599, which saw full Senate approval last week, the Texas legislature has the chance to take action that will make the state's elections more secure, transparent, and efficient. 

“Secure Democracy USA urges Texas legislators to continue to advance legislation like this that supports local election officials and strengthens elections in the Lone Star State.”


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