H.B. No. 1638 amends the Election Code to allow certain cities in Texas to change the date of their general elections for officers. Specifically, it applies to cities with a population of 9,000 or less, located in counties with a total area of less than 6,200 square miles, that have adopted a council-manager form of government. These cities, which currently hold their elections on a date other than the November uniform election date, may change their election date to align with the November date, provided they do so by December 31, 2026.

The bill also includes a provision that the ability to change the election date will expire on January 1, 2027. The amendment replaces the previous population and area thresholds, changing the maximum area from 4,800 square miles to 6,200 square miles and extending the deadline for changing the election date from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2026. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 41.0052 (Election Code 41)