The bill amends various sections of the Texas Election Code to enhance the management and preservation of election records. Key changes include the requirement for registers to include additional details such as the range of serial numbers for ballots received and provided to voters, as well as the serial numbers of spoiled ballots. It also mandates that rejected provisional ballots be placed in segregated envelopes marked by precinct and specifies that these envelopes must be delivered to the general custodian of election records for preservation. Furthermore, the bill extends the preservation period for precinct election records from 22 months to 36 months and introduces new protocols for securely transferring and sealing voted ballots and election records.

Additional provisions include the establishment of a public index of voted ballots categorized by precinct and polling place, and the requirement for ballot images to be posted online within five days after the election. The bill also stipulates that any opening of ballot boxes must be witnessed by two individuals who will sign a sworn statement regarding the process. Lastly, the bill repeals a section of the Election Code and sets an effective date of September 1, 2025, for these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 65.013, Election Code 65.055, Election Code 65.056, Election Code 66.002, Election Code 279.001, Election Code 66.058, Election Code 66.059, Election Code 66.060, Election Code 66.025 (Election Code 66, Election Code 279, Election Code 65)