The bill, H.B. No. 545, amends Section 13.032 of the Election Code to enhance the criteria for appointing volunteer deputy voter registrars. Specifically, it prohibits registrars from refusing to appoint individuals based on various characteristics, including sex, race, creed, color, national origin, and now explicitly includes sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and political affiliation. This change aims to ensure a more inclusive and equitable process for appointing volunteer deputy registrars. The bill is set to take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Texas Legislature. If it does not achieve this necessary vote, the bill will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.032 (Election Code 13)