LIVE WEBINAR THIS THURSDAY NIGHT

for candidates or potential candidates! Please share the link with officials and potential candidates in your area! The event is FREE, but each attendee must register to get a link.

Led by experienced election attorney Donna Davidson, this invaluable training will guide you through everything you need to know about running a successful and legally compliant campaign. From mastering campaign finance regulations to developing your message and avoiding common pitfalls, we'll cover the essential knowledge every candidate needs. Whether you're a first-time candidate or looking to refresh your campaign knowledge, this training will help you "keep it legal" while maximizing your campaign's effectiveness. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights that could make the difference in your election success!

NEXT TEN TALKS:

Understanding Voter ID Laws in Texas – Join us on April 4th!

First, let’s clearly understand where we are now so that in the TEN Talks we can discuss where we are going in the Legislative Session.

Identification Requirements for Voting

Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.

Exemptions

Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption by presenting an acceptable photo identification or following the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure in the county. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing the applicant’s disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. The applicant must also state that he/she does not have a form of identification prescribed by Section 63.0101 of the Texas Election Code. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote upon display of their voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption, and will not need to execute a Reasonable Impediment Declaration. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed or who do not present an acceptable form of photo identification listed above or follow the Reasonable Impediment Declaration procedure because of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar’s office within six (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for the voter’s ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details.

Source: votetexas.gov

Federal Election Standards Redefined

in Presidential Executive Order

On March 25, 2025, President Trump signed a new executive order aimed at strengthening election integrity across the United States. The order, titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," implements several measures designed to address concerns about voter eligibility, ballot counting, and foreign interference.

A central component of the order requires documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. The Election Assistance Commission must update the national mail voter registration form to require citizenship documentation such as a U.S. passport, REAL ID-compliant identification, or other government-issued photo ID indicating citizenship status. This represents a significant change to current registration procedures in many states.

The order directs federal agencies to share citizenship and eligibility data with state election officials. The Department of Homeland Security must provide state and local officials access to systems for verifying citizenship status of registered voters, while the Social Security Administration must make available relevant databases to verify voter eligibility.

Another key provision enforces the federal law establishing a uniform Election Day across the nation, prohibiting the counting of ballots received after Election Day. The Attorney General is instructed to take action against states that include late-arriving absentee or mail-in ballots in their final vote tabulations.

The order also addresses voting technology by requiring systems to produce voter-verifiable paper records. It restricts the use of barcodes or QR codes in the vote counting process except where necessary for voters with disabilities. The Election Assistance Commission must review and potentially recertify voting systems under these new standards.

To prevent foreign interference, the order prioritizes enforcement of laws prohibiting foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. elections. Additionally, it prevents non-citizens from being involved in election administration.

The executive order explicitly rescinds Executive Order 14019, "Promoting Access to Voting," which was issued by the Biden administration in March 2021.

Critics are likely to challenge aspects of this order as potentially restricting voter access, while supporters will view it as a necessary step to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in American elections.

As the Texas election landscape rapidly evolves both nationally and in our state legislature's current session, I'm energized by the important work ahead for our Texas Election Network community. Through our TEN Talks, educational workshops, resource guides, and issue forums, we're keeping busy this spring while serving as your trusted, objective source for understanding Texas elections and legislative developments. When Texans understand voting procedures and security measures, we build a foundation of trust that strengthens our entire electoral system. Our commitment extends beyond simply providing information—we strive to cultivate engaged citizens equipped to navigate changing regulations, distinguish between facts and misinformation, and advocate effectively for election integrity. Together, we can ensure our electoral and legislative processes remain reflective of our shared Texas values. As we look to the months ahead, I invite you to join TEN's mission of strengthening Texas through informed grassroots participation. Our dedicated team remains committed to educating, equipping, empowering, and revitalizing civic engagement across our great state.

Melissa Conway

Texas Election Network

Managing Director

832-648-0770

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