Texas Republicans push election integrity measures ahead of 2025 session

As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Texas Republicans are advancing a series of election law reforms they believe are crucial to ensuring voter confidence and safeguarding election processes. Dubbed the "Integrity 7," the proposed reforms aim to address election irregularities, enhance penalties for violations, and clarify legal ambiguities.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), a leading advocate for the reforms, emphasized their necessity based on lessons learned from prior elections. “These changes are needed due to real-world examples of what not to do,” Bettencourt said. “They’re based upon my central tenet, which is a voter roll with integrity and election results that the public can believe in.”

SB 505: Civil Complaint Procedure and County Oversight

At the forefront of the proposed bills is Senate Bill (SB) 505, co-authored by a coalition of Republican senators, including Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Angela Paxton (R-McKinney). SB 505 proposes a civil complaint mechanism allowing candidates and election officials to request documentation for apparent irregularities.

If local officials cannot adequately address concerns, the Texas Secretary of State (SOS) could step in to conduct audits, impose fines, or appoint conservators to oversee elections in the county for two federal election cycles. The bill, a refiled version of a 2023 proposal endorsed by former President Donald Trump, previously failed to pass in the House.

Election Challenges in Harris County

Several of the reforms are rooted in issues identified in Harris County, Texas' most populous county, where election processes in 2022 were marred by controversy. A state audit found that the county violated election codes by undersupplying ballot paper, though existing laws offer few penalties for such infractions.

SB 507, part of the Integrity 7, would make the failure to supply or resupply ballot paper a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of $4,000. The measure is gaining traction after Harris County’s 2022 election saw over 2,800 more ballots cast than participating voters — a minor discrepancy overall but one with potential significance in tightly contested races.

Broader Reforms Target Voter Rolls and Ballot Clarity

Concerns about voter registration have also prompted SB 510, which would withhold state funding from counties failing to manage voter rolls effectively. An election analyst highlighted that over 7,600 Harris County voters in 2024 had submitted change-of-address forms, with 1,500 moving out of state.

Other measures include SB 511, which would ban the use of taxpayer money for unsolicited voter registration mailings, targeting a practice recently defended by Bexar County officials but criticized by Republicans as partisan. Additionally, SB 506 seeks to curb “deceptive” ballot language by requiring the Office of the Attorney General to review referenda wording for clarity.

Future Implications and Political Hurdles

Despite Republican majorities in both chambers, these proposals face challenges in the Texas House, where similar measures failed in 2023. Speaker races and intra-party dynamics could also impact their progress.

Meanwhile, Democrats are advancing their own proposals, including same-day voter registration and ranked-choice voting, though these are unlikely to gain traction.

Bettencourt remains optimistic about the Integrity 7’s potential impact, particularly in restoring voter trust. “The public needs to know that their votes are secure and accurately counted,” he said.

As the session unfolds, the future of these election reforms will likely shape the discourse around Texas’ 2024 elections and beyond.