House Bill No. 968 introduces a new chapter to the Texas Election Code, specifically Chapter 280, which establishes a formal process for addressing election irregularities. The bill allows individuals who participated in an election—such as candidates, county party chairs, and presiding judges—to request explanations and supporting documentation from county clerks regarding actions that may violate election laws, irregularities in precinct results, or inadequacies in required documentation. The county clerk is mandated to respond to these requests within specified timeframes, and if the requestor remains unsatisfied, they can escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for an audit.

Additionally, the bill outlines the consequences for county clerks who fail to remedy identified violations. If a violation is not addressed within 30 days of notification from the Secretary of State, a civil penalty of $500 per violation will be assessed, with the potential for additional penalties for ongoing non-compliance. The Secretary of State is also required to maintain and publish a record of clerks who incur such penalties. This legislation aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the electoral process, with the provisions taking effect on September 1, 2025, for elections held thereafter.

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