H.B. No. 278 introduces amendments to the Texas Election Code regarding voter registration at polling places and related procedures. The bill mandates that election officers at each polling place for early voting or on election day be appointed as regular deputy registrars. It establishes a new section, 63.010, which allows individuals who are eligible to vote but not registered to do so at the polling place, provided they submit a voter registration application, present valid identification, and execute an affidavit confirming their eligibility and intent to vote only once.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific identification requirements for individuals registering to vote at polling places, including acceptable forms of ID such as a Texas driver's license or a utility bill. It also stipulates that those voting under this provision will be processed separately from regular voters. The Secretary of State is tasked with adopting rules to ensure accountability among election officers and to implement these changes effectively. The new regulations will take effect for elections beginning on or after February 1, 2026, and the Secretary of State must establish the necessary rules by that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 85.031 (Election Code 85)