H.B. No. 1802 amends the Texas Election Code to improve voter registration processes and establish new criminal offenses related to voter registration. Notably, the bill deletes the requirement for a Texas driver's license number or social security number on voter registration applications. In its place, it introduces a new section, 13.0071, which makes it a second-degree felony for individuals to knowingly register to vote if they are not U.S. citizens. The bill also mandates that registrars verify an applicant's citizenship during the registration process, while emphasizing the importance of accurate information on early voting ballot applications and ensuring the confidentiality of certain voter registration details.

Additionally, the bill enhances the voting by mail process by requiring an online tool to track mail-in ballot applications and assign unique barcodes to carrier envelopes. This tool will update a website with the status of ballot applications and submissions, allowing voters to make necessary corrections. The bill also outlines conditions for rejecting early voting ballots, particularly concerning signature discrepancies and required information. It modifies the process for updating voter registration records when discrepancies arise and establishes a new effective date of September 1, 2025, for these changes, while repealing certain provisions of the Election Code.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 13.002, Election Code 13.072, Election Code 13.122, Election Code 16.031, Election Code 84.002, Election Code 84.011, Election Code 84.014, Election Code 86.001, Election Code 86.002, Election Code 86.015, Election Code 87.0271, Election Code 87.0411, Election Code 101.053 (Election Code 87, Election Code 84, Election Code 16, Election Code 86, Election Code 13, Election Code 101)