H.B. No. 52, introduced by Schofield, seeks to delineate federal elections from state and local elections in Texas by establishing distinct practices and procedures for each. The bill defines "federal election" to include primary or general elections for federal office, while explicitly excluding elections for presidential electors. It mandates that federal elections be conducted separately from state and county elections, ensuring that federal ballots do not contain propositions or elections for state or county offices. Additionally, the Secretary of State is required to adopt rules aimed at minimizing voter confusion and disruption during these elections.

The legislation also outlines eligibility criteria for voters in federal elections, including provisions for military service voters and those temporarily residing outside the U.S. It establishes a separate federal ballot for registered voters and specifies that the general election for federal officers will occur concurrently with state and county elections when feasible. Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of the Election Code to clarify voter registration and candidate nomination procedures, including the submission of federal postcard applications and the certification process for candidates. These changes aim to streamline the electoral process and enhance clarity regarding the responsibilities of election officials and candidates, with the bill set to take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 1.002, Election Code 1.005, Election Code 11.002, Election Code 15.003, Election Code 41.007, Election Code 42.002, Election Code 67.010, Election Code 84.014, Election Code 101.052, Election Code 101.053, Election Code 101.055, Election Code 142.005, Election Code 145.033, Election Code 145.037, Election Code 146.024, Election Code 161.008, Election Code 163.006, Election Code 172.059, Election Code 172.121, Election Code 172.122, Election Code 173.063, Election Code 181.0311, Election Code 181.032, Election Code 181.068, Election Code 231.008, Election Code 232.013, Election Code 232.048, Election Code 252.005 (Election Code 161, Election Code 15, Election Code 42, Election Code 67, Election Code 145, Election Code 11, Election Code 1, Election Code 163, Election Code 146, Election Code 231, Election Code 41, Election Code 181, Election Code 142, Election Code 232, Election Code 101, Election Code 173, Election Code 252, Election Code 172, Election Code 84)