S.B. No. 1805 amends various sections of the Election Code to modify the administration and procedures for early voting by personal appearance in Texas. Notably, the bill changes the population threshold for certain provisions from 55,000 to 10,000, allowing counties with populations under 10,000 to receive state funds for keeping polling places open during early voting. Additionally, it establishes that in counties with populations of 10,000 or more, early voting must occur for at least 12 consecutive hours on weekdays during the last week of the early voting period, and on the last Saturday and Sunday of that period, with specific time restrictions.

The bill also introduces new requirements for early voting clerks in counties with populations under 10,000, mandating that extended voting hours on a single weekend day be agreed upon by party chairs and publicly posted. Furthermore, it clarifies that certain provisions regarding early voting apply only to elections in counties with populations of 10,000 or more. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to elections for which early voting begins on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 19.004, Election Code 85.005, Election Code 85.006, Election Code 85.064 (Election Code 19, Election Code 85)