H.B. No. 1661 amends the Texas Election Code to enhance the requirements for election supplies and establish new criminal offenses related to the procurement of ballots. The bill mandates that election authorities provide a number of ballots for each precinct that is at least equal to the percentage of voters who participated in the most recent corresponding election, plus an additional 25%. However, the total number of ballots cannot exceed the number of registered voters in the precinct unless the county is part of a countywide polling place program. Additionally, the bill introduces new criminal offenses, making it a Class A misdemeanor for election authorities to intentionally fail to provide the required number of ballots or to promptly supplement ballots upon request from polling places.

The bill also updates the classification of certain offenses within the Election Code, changing several from Class C misdemeanors to Class A misdemeanors, and elevating one offense to a state jail felony. These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. The legislation aims to ensure adequate ballot availability and accountability among election officials, thereby enhancing the integrity of the electoral process in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 51.005, Election Code 51.008, Election Code 51.010, Election Code 51.011, Election Code 61.007 (Election Code 61, Election Code 51)
House Committee Report: Election Code 51.005, Election Code 51.008, Election Code 51.010, Election Code 51.011, Election Code 61.007 (Election Code 61, Election Code 51)
Engrossed: Election Code 51.005, Election Code 51.008, Election Code 51.010, Election Code 51.011, Election Code 61.007 (Election Code 61, Election Code 51)
Senate Committee Report: Election Code 51.005, Election Code 51.008, Election Code 51.010, Election Code 51.011, Election Code 61.007 (Election Code 61, Election Code 51)
Enrolled: Election Code 51.005, Election Code 51.008, Election Code 51.010, Election Code 51.011, Election Code 61.007 (Election Code 61, Election Code 51)