S.B. No. 1541 aims to enhance state oversight of county elections in Texas, particularly following an election audit. The bill amends Section 31.017 of the Election Code to allow the secretary of state's office to order administrative oversight of a county election office if certain conditions are met, including the filing of an administrative election complaint by specific individuals involved in the election process. The bill specifies that oversight can be implemented if there is a recurring pattern of problems with election administration or voter registration, such as equipment malfunctions or misconduct in the distribution of election supplies. Additionally, the timeline for the secretary of state to determine whether to implement oversight has been clarified, including new provisions for monitoring periods.

Further amendments include changes to Sections 31.018, 31.019, and 31.020, which outline the process for handling administrative complaints and investigations in counties with populations over 4 million. The bill also introduces new provisions for the secretary of state to monitor compliance with remedial plans developed after audits, and it allows for the termination of a county elections administrator's employment if issues persist. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that election administration is conducted fairly and effectively, thereby protecting citizens' voting rights.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 31.017, Election Code 31.018, Election Code 31.019, Election Code 31.020, Election Code 31.037, Election Code 127.351 (Election Code 31, Election Code 127)