H.B. No. 1013, known as the Election Accuracy, Transparency, and Accountability Act, aims to strengthen election integrity and security in Texas through a series of new measures. The bill establishes a nine-day early voting period, mandates a single polling place per election precinct, and prohibits polling places from being located at candidates' residences or businesses. It requires ballots to be printed on secure, auditable paper without QR codes or tracking identifiers, and introduces penalties for election officials who fail to comply, including potential removal from their positions. Additionally, the bill emphasizes transparency by requiring video recordings of all election activities, which must be publicly accessible, and outlines strict procedures for handling misprinted ballots.

The legislation also includes several amendments to the Election Code, such as suspending canvassing authority members subject to recall until the results are determined and requiring courts to use video recordings for error determinations during ballot counts. Mail-in ballots must be transported unopened to the precinct for counting, and election officials are prohibited from altering submitted ballots, with violations classified as Class A misdemeanors. The bill clarifies provisional voting procedures and mandates that results of hand counts be publicly posted. It also repeals certain early voting provisions and modifies regulations regarding electronic devices at polling places. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Chapter of the Texas Election Code 1.02, Chapter , Election Code 1.09, Election Code 1.10, The following provisions of the Election Code 1.12 (Chapter of the Texas Election Code 1, The following provisions of the Election Code 1, Election Code 1, Chapter , Election Code 1)