The bill, H.B. No. 1296, aims to streamline the voter registration process for naturalized United States citizens in Texas. It amends Section 13.002(a) of the Election Code to clarify that individuals wishing to register must submit an application to the county registrar, with the addition of a new Section 13.009 specifically addressing the automatic registration of naturalized citizens. Under this new section, the voter registrar is required to automatically register eligible residents upon the issuance of their naturalization certificate by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Furthermore, the bill establishes a cooperative procedure between the Department of Public Safety and USCIS to ensure timely notification of naturalization certificates. If the notification does not occur, newly naturalized citizens can present their certificate directly to the county registrar, who is mandated to assist them in the registration process. The secretary of state is also granted the authority to adopt necessary rules for implementing this section. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.002, Subchapter A, Chapter , Election Code 13.143 (Subchapter A, Chapter , Election Code 13, Election Code 13)