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 election 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. County clerks are mandated to respond to these requests within specified timeframes, and if the requestor is unsatisfied with the response, they can escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for an audit.

Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for audits conducted by the Secretary of State, including the requirement for county clerks to cooperate with the audit process. If violations are found during an audit, the Secretary of State must notify the county clerk, who has 30 days to remedy the violation. Failure to do so will result in a civil penalty of $500 for each unremedied violation, with the potential for additional penalties if the violation persists. The bill also stipulates that any collected penalties will be deposited into the state treasury. This act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to elections held after that date.

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