Relating to the administration of elections, including the public inspection of certain election records.
relating to the administration of elections, including the public
inspection of certain election records.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 1.006, Election Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1.006. EFFECT OF WEEKEND, [OR] HOLIDAY, OR FORCE
MAJEURE.
SECTION 2. Sections 1.006(a) and (f), Election Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) If the last day for performance of an act is a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, or the performance of
the act is not possible because of an act of God, force majeure, or
similar cause beyond the control of the person performing the act,
the act is timely if performed on the next regular business day,
except as otherwise provided by this code.
(f) In this code:
(1) “Force majeure” means a major event or combination
of major events, including new or expanded state or federal
statutory or regulatory requirements; hurricanes, tornadoes, ice
storms, or other natural disasters; or acts of war, terrorism, or
civil disturbance, beyond the control of this state.
(2) “National holiday” means:
(A) a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. Section
6103; and
(B) if a holiday described by Paragraph (A)
occurs on a Saturday or Sunday, a holiday taken in lieu of that
holiday on which there is no regular United States mail delivery.
(3) [(2)] “State holiday” means a state holiday under
Sections 662.003(b)(1) through (6), Government Code.
SECTION 3. Section 1.007, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
(c-1) If a delivery, submission, or filing under this code
requires submission in person by a specific time, the delivery,
submission, or filing shall be accepted if the person or document
entered the office before the prescribed deadline.
SECTION 4. Section 1.012, Election Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (g) and adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read
as follows:
(g) Beginning on the 300th [61st] day after election day,
the general custodian of election records shall make available for
public inspection election records that are original voted ballots.
(i) Notwithstanding Chapter 552, Government Code, the
following information is confidential and not subject to disclosure
under that chapter if the disclosure of the information would
violate the privacy of a voter’s selections:
(1) information on an electronic poll list, including
any serial number or time stamp, indicating when a voter is accepted
at a polling place; or
(2) a voter’s name and the ballot serial number
included on the register of spoiled ballots.
(j) A custodian may withhold information described by
Subsection (i) without requesting a decision from the attorney
general under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
