Relating to the ballot application requirements for the election of a precinct chair.
Summary
HB 766 amends the Texas Election Code to change the filing requirements for a candidate seeking election as a precinct chair. Under the bill, an application for a place on the ballot must include at least one method of direct contact for campaign-related correspondence: an email address, a telephone number, or both. The bill builds on existing ballot-application requirements by adding these contact fields specifically for precinct chair candidates.
The bill also makes the contact information confidential. It states that the email address and/or telephone number provided under the new requirement are not public information and are exempt from disclosure under the Public Information Act, despite other Election Code provisions that generally govern candidate filing information. The act takes effect September 1, 2025.
In practical terms, HB 766 affects precinct chair candidates and election administrators by adding a new filing requirement and limiting public access to the submitted contact information. It amends Section 172.021 of the Election Code and creates a confidentiality carve-out from Chapter 552, Government Code, for the specified information.
The overall sentiment around the bill appears broadly favorable, as reflected in its strong passage in both chambers. The House passed it 130-15, and the Senate passed it 30-1, indicating substantial bipartisan support with only limited opposition.
No committee transcript was provided, so specific arguments for or against the bill are not available. The main point of potential contention is the balance between transparency in candidate filing records and privacy for candidates' personal contact information, since the bill requires disclosure to election officials but shields that information from public release.
Impact
HB 766 amends Section 172.021 of the Texas Election Code to add a new filing requirement for precinct chair candidates: their ballot application must include an email address, a telephone number, or both. It also creates a confidentiality provision stating that this contact information is not public information under Chapter 552, Government Code, and is exempt from disclosure despite other Election Code provisions. The bill therefore changes both candidate filing procedures and public-records treatment for precinct chair applications.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received positively overall, based on its strong floor votes in both chambers. The House approved it by 130-15 and the Senate by 30-1, suggesting broad support and little organized opposition. Because no committee discussion transcript is available, the record does not show detailed debate, but the voting pattern indicates the measure was generally noncontroversial.
Contention
The main issue of contention is the tradeoff between administrative transparency and candidate privacy. Supporters likely viewed the added contact information as a practical way to improve communication with precinct chair candidates and election officials, while the confidentiality clause protects candidates from public disclosure of personal contact details. Any opposition would likely focus on the new filing burden or the decision to exempt the information from public records laws, but the limited no votes suggest these concerns were not widespread.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 24.2-307.1, relating to elections; districts, precincts, and polling places; super precincts; pilot program.
Elections; voter identification containing photograph required; who may register up to and including the day of the election; absentee ballot application requirements; absentee voting in person availability; return of absentee ballots.