TEN Talks will PAUSE for June and July!

Our next TEN Talk will be held on August 1st.

Join us on Thursday, June 26 from 7-8 PM for an essential virtual briefing on the election law changes enacted during the 89th legislative session. The TEN Team and guests will provide a comprehensive review of the new legislation, explain implementation timelines, and analyze how these changes will impact the upcoming 2026 primary and midterm elections. Whether you're a candidate, campaign worker, or engaged citizen, understanding these new laws is crucial for effective civic participation. Register today for this informative Zoom session to stay ahead of the changing electoral landscape!

ICYMI: Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton Announces

Six Indict­ments and Arrests in Frio Coun­ty

for Ille­gal Vote Har­vest­ing Scheme

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Runoff elections for races where no candidate received a majority of votes in the May 3rd elections are on Saturday, June 7th, 2025.

Election Deadlines:

May 8: Last day to register to vote for the June 7 Runoff Election

May 9: Last day to cure provisional ballots for voters who did not present a photo ID.

May 27: First day of early voting for the June 7th runoff election and the deadline to apply for a ballot by mail for that election (received, not postmarked).

June 3: Last day of early voting for the June 7th runoff election.

June 7: Runoff Election Day

SOS has released the Important Election Dates for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election

**These dates are subject to changes from the 2025 legislative session**

Longer calendars are on the Conducting Your Elections pages when available.

Over the past several years, an increasing number of concerns over the accuracy and integrity of electronic voting systems have been raised, leading to calls for increased election transparency and auditability. Senator Tan Parker maintains that, while current state law mandates post-election audits for certain elections, the evolving landscape of election security necessitates a more robust, standardized approach to verifying electronic vote tabulations because existing procedures do not adequately ensure public confidence in election outcomes. SB 827 seeks to strengthen election integrity, bolster voter confidence, and reinforce the accuracy of Texas elections by enhancing election audit procedures.

SB 827 amends the Election Code to replace the requirement for the general custodian of election records to conduct a manual count of all the races in at least one percent of the election precincts or in three precincts, whichever is greater, in which the electronic voting system was used with a requirement for the general custodian to conduct a manual count of all the races in at least one percent of the election day polling locations and one percent of the early voting locations or in three election day polling locations and three early voting locations, whichever is greater, in which the electronic voting system was used. The bill also requires the general custodian to conduct a manual count of all the races contained on the ballots by mail in at least one percent of the precincts in which a ballot by mail was cast and in which the ballots were counted using automatic tabulating equipment, or in three precincts in which a ballot by mail was cast and in which the ballots were counted using automatic tabulating equipment, whichever is greater.

SB 827 requires the general custodian of election records to designate the members of the early voting ballot board for the election to perform the manual count under the bill's provisions at the direction of the custodian. If one or more members of the early voting ballot board are unable to serve, then additional members may be appointed using the appointment procedures for the early voting ballot board. In an election in which a statewide risk-limiting audit is performed under applicable state law, the manual count must begin the count not later than the first business day after the secretary of state has certified the completion of the risk-limiting audit and must be completed not later than the 30th day after election day or by the deadline designated by the secretary of state for completion of the count, whichever is later. The bill authorizes the general custodian of election records, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the secretary of state, to select additional precincts and polling places to be counted in the manual count. To the extent of a conflict, these provisions supersede provisions prescribing the standard procedures by which the general custodian of election records must conduct the manual count.

SB 827 replaces the entitlement of each candidate in an applicable election to be present at the manual count and to have a representative present with an entitlement of each person entitled to appoint watchers in an applicable election to be present at the count and to have a watcher present. A watcher appointed to the count must satisfy the same eligibility requirements and must be appointed in the same manner as a watcher appointed to observe the conduct of an election. The bill replaces the requirement for a representative of a candidate to deliver a certificate of appointment to the general custodian at the time the representative reports for service with a requirement for a watcher appointed to the count to deliver their certificates to the presiding judge of the early voting ballot board at the time the watcher reports for service. Accordingly, the bill removes requirements that a certificate of appointment for a representative appointed by a candidate must satisfy.

SB 827 requires the general custodian of election records, in addition to the current requirement to deliver a written report of the results of the count to the secretary of state, to post the results of the count on the county's website in the same location that the county provides information on election returns and election results.

SB 827 replaces the requirement for the general custodian of election records, not later than 24 hours after all ballots have been counted in an election, to conduct a risk-limiting audit for a selected statewide race or measure with a requirement for the custodian to participate in a risk‑limiting audit for one or more selected statewide races or measures. The bill requires the custodian to begin the audit on a date prescribed by the secretary of state. The bill requires all counties holding an election subject to statutory provisions relating to risk-limiting audits to participate in the risk-limiting audit on the selected statewide races or measures as provided by these provisions, regardless of the method of counting voted ballots used by the county. The bill changes the deadline by which the general custodian of election records must complete the audit from not later than 24 hours before the time for conducting the canvass of the election to the date prescribed by the secretary of state.

SB 827 did not have a “companion bill” in the House but was taken up by State Representative Mano DeAyala. In the May 8^th House Elections Committee, the bill was supported by the Texas Association of County Election Officials and The County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas.

SB 827 was engrossed by the Senate on 04/10/2025 and voted out of the House Elections Committee on 05/16/2025. The Committee report was sent to Calendars on 05/19/2025.

Where to find signed copies of bills: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/legbills/index89.aspx

The Senate Weekly Podcast summarizing the week’s events:

https://senate.texas.gov/podcast.php

Floor Calendars

House: https://capitol.texas.gov/Calendars/CalendarsByDate.aspx?Chbr=H

Senate: https://capitol.texas.gov/Calendars/CalendarsByDate.aspx?Chbr=S

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, by 9 a.m. (128th day) Deadline for the House to distribute its last House local and consent calendar with local House bills [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 13(a), requiring 48-hour layout of local and consent calendars before consideration, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(a), establishing the deadline for consideration] 

Friday, May 23, 2025 (130th day) Last day for the House to consider local House bills on the local and consent calendar on 2nd and 3rd reading [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(a)] 

Sunday, May 25, 2025, by 10 p.m. (132nd day) Deadline for the House to distribute its last House daily calendar with Senate bills and Senate joint resolutions [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 16(a), requiring 36-hour layout of daily calendars before consideration, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c), establishing the deadline for consideration]

Monday, May 26, 2025, by 9 a.m. (133rd day) Deadline for the House to distribute its last House local and consent calendar with Senate bills [relates to House Rule 6, Sec. 13(a), requiring 48-hour layout of local and consent calendars before consideration, and House Rule 8, Sec 13(c), establishing the deadline for consideration]

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (134th day) Last day for the House to consider 2nd reading Senate bills and Senate joint resolutions on the daily or supplemental calendar [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c)]

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (135th day) Last day for the House to consider local and consent Senate bills on 2nd and 3rd reading and all 3rd reading Senate bills and Senate joint resolutions on the supplemental calendar [House Rule 8, Sec. 13(c)]

Last day for the Senate to consider all bills and joint resolutions on 2nd or 3rd reading* [Senate Rule 7.25; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills] [*The Senate deadline for passing all bills and joint resolutions does not take into consideration the House deadline for passing Senate bills and joint resolutions. Realistically, to be eligible for consideration by the House under its end-of-session deadlines, Senate bills and joint resolutions must be passed by the Senate and received by the House before the 130th day. Accordingly, even though Senate Rule 7.24(b) indicates the 137th day is the last day for Senate committees to report all bills and joint resolutions, the practical deadline for Senate committees to report is before the 130th day.]

Before midnight: deadline for the House to print and distribute House copies of a conference committee report on the general appropriations bill [relates to House Rule 13, Sec. 10(a), requiring 48-hour layout of a conference committee report on the general appropriations bill before consideration during a regular session, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(e), establishing the deadline for adoption of conference committee reports]

Before midnight: deadline for the Senate to print and distribute Senate copies of conference committee reports on tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills [relates to Senate Rule 12.09(a), requiring 48-hour layout of certain conference committee reports before consideration in regular session, and Senate Rule 7.25, establishing the deadline for voting on a bill; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills.]

Saturday, May 31, 2025, before midnight (138th day) Deadline for the House to print and distribute House copies of all conference committee reports on joint resolutions and on bills other than the general appropriations bill [relates to House Rule 13, Sec. 10(a), requiring 24-hour layout of certain conference committee reports, and House Rule 8, Sec. 13(e), establishing the deadline for adoption of conference committee reports]

Deadline for the Senate to print and distribute Senate copies of all conference committee reports on joint resolutions and on bills other than tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills [relates to Senate Rule 12.09(b), requiring 24-hour layout of certain conference committee reports before consideration during the last 72 hours of a regular session, and Senate Rule 7.25, establishing the deadline for voting on a bill; Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills]

As of 5/19/25, Number of bills this session...

Left pending in House Committee or Subcommittee: 2,662

Passed to Engrossment by the House: 1163

Left pending in Senate Committee or Subcommittee: 1117

Passed to Engrossment by the Senate: 226

Bills signed by the Governor: 35

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Effective Legislative Advocacy at the Texas Capitol REGISTER

ISSUE FORUM: Countywide vs. Precinct Polling Panel Discussion REGISTER

Bifurcation of the Texas Voter Roll REGISTER

Candidate Training REGISTER

Ranked Choice Voting: What it could mean for Texas Elections REGISTER

Texas Election Update: REGISTER

Your connection with TEN isn't just about staying informed—it's transforming Texas communities. Thanks to advocates like you, grassroots action is flourishing across our state, empowering everyday Texans with the tools and confidence to create meaningful change.

When you engage in campaigns, legislative advocacy, and electoral participation, you're not just following politics—you're actively shaping a more responsive Texas for everyone.

Your dedication to election integrity makes all the difference. It's passionate Texans like you—showing up consistently, staying informed on the issues, and taking decisive action—who truly bring our mission to life. Every action you take, from neighborhood conversations to statewide advocacy, moves us closer to the Texas we envision.



Thank you for your grassroots commitment and for championing our shared belief that lasting change begins with individual Texans taking a stand.

Melissa Conway

Texas Election Network

Managing Director

832-648-0770

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