H.B. No. 429 aims to enhance voter education and participation by allowing children under 16 years of age to read and mark ballots while accompanying their parents at voting stations. The bill introduces a new section, 31.131, to the Election Code, which mandates the secretary of state to develop educational materials for parents regarding this procedure. These materials will be made available on the secretary's Internet website, and county election officers are also required to provide access to these resources on their respective county websites.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 64.002(b) of the Election Code to clarify that a child under 18 may accompany a parent to a voting station, and specifically states that a child under 16 may read or mark the ballot at the parent's direction. It is also noted that this action does not count as assisting a voter under the relevant subchapter. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 64.002 (Election Code 64)
House Committee Report: Election Code 64.002 (Election Code 64)