H.B. No. 429 amends the Election Code to enhance voter education regarding the participation of children in the voting process. The bill introduces a new section, 31.131, which mandates the secretary of state to develop educational materials for parents about the procedures that allow children under 16 years of age to read and mark ballots while accompanying their parents at voting stations. These materials will be made available on the secretary's Internet website, and county election officials are also required to provide this information on their respective websites.
Additionally, the bill modifies Section 64.002(b) of the Election Code to clarify that children under 16 years of age may read or mark a ballot at the direction of their parent, while accompanying them to a voting station. It specifies 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)