Video & Transcript Research : 'election rights'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 2nd, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- schedule fixed dates for a special primary election and special election.
- an existing election.
- Right now, we have a special election that has not been set for a House seat, former Representative Vicki
- forbid, you know, a special election, a special election in the middle of March.
- We are the gold standard for elections. Our election results come quickly.
Keywords:
special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections.
The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes.
The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Special Session 2026 May 5th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- right now? right now?
- All: Right, but it's a special election about specific maps. Ms.
- . election. election.
- >
special <00:20:25.320>election <00:20:25.840>about >> Right, but it's a - special election about >> Right, but it's a special election about specific<00:20:26.760>
maps
Bills:
HB1
Keywords:
HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race
Summary:
The Ways and Means General Fund Committee met in special session and took up only one bill, HB 1 by Rep. Chris Pringle, which would authorize a special election for certain congressional districts if the federal court lifts its injunction and allows the state to use the 2023 congressional map. Pringle said the bill only creates a pathway for that special election, and members were told the fiscal note estimates the election could cost about $4.5 million from the General Fund. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to recent federal court and Supreme Court rulings, including Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Purcell principle, and whether it would be too close to an election or create confusion.
Several committee members pressed Pringle on whether the bill would reduce Black representation, whether Alabama had agreed not to revisit redistricting until 2030, and whether the 2023 map had previously been found discriminatory. Pringle repeatedly said he was not offering legal advice and that the matter was pending in federal court, while also saying the bill would simply allow voters to use the legislature’s 2023 map if the courts permit it. Rep. Ford raised concerns about the cost to the General Fund and competing budget priorities, and Rep. All questioned the timing and possible administrative confusion. Pringle responded that citizens would still be able to vote for candidates of their choosing.
During the public hearing, speakers overwhelmingly opposed the bill. Jamaal Brown, Kenneth Sharpton, Eliza Jane Franklin, Pastor Richard Williams, Rep. Givan, Jacoby Bibbs, and Agnes Lover argued that the proposal would weaken Black voting power, revive a map they described as unfair or racist, and create unnecessary disruption so close to an election. Several speakers framed the issue as one of civil rights, fair representation, and trust in democracy, while others criticized the cost and said the legislature should focus on broader needs such as health care and mental health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And yes, you're right, they apply to anyone running.
- Right. And that's why this governor doesn't do it, right.
- Uh, it, you may very well be right.
- That's exactly right. Well, thank you.
- All right, shall we move the bill? Thank you.
Keywords:
voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, voting rights, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, political contributions, special legislative session, election code, transparency, campaign finance, election law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Rules that the judges are when they run for election or reelection.
- You may very well be right. I don't know.
- All right. OK, for the local government, we are headed downstairs. Mr.
- That’s exactly right; it just removes any doubt about that. Yes. That's exactly right.
- All right, shall we move the bill? Thank you, please.
Keywords:
voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, voting rights, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, political contributions, special legislative session, election code, transparency, campaign finance, election law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Right.
- He lost the election because of it, and he went to court and he won, right?
- You know, having truth in our elections—that is what this bill's intent is trying to do, right?
- This section of the election code is when someone does something, makes a fake video of you right before
- I have one simple question: are you going to ever lay out another bill on elections right after this
Keywords:
voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform
TX
Keywords:
voter registration, elections, Election Code, registrar, county clerk, application rejection, rejection notice, voter eligibility, ballot access, transparency, administrative procedure, Texas, voting rights, election administration, notice of rejection, election, poll watcher, conviction, ineligibility, Texas election code
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Legislative Update May 1st, 2025 at 09:05 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Right here, I welcome you to take a look.
- Senate Bill 12 is a strong parental rights bill.
- Even more conservative election integrity legislation is stuck in the House. ...House Elections Committee
- district attorneys basically adjudicate election fraud in their counties.
- So here we are right now.
Keywords:
immigration, children's rights, E-Verify, social transitioning, election integrity, Texas GOP, legislative session, urgent legislation
Summary:
The committee meeting was characterized by fervent discussions surrounding critical legislation, particularly regarding immigration, children's rights, and election integrity. Key bills such as HB2258, aiming to ban social transitioning for children, and E-Verify legislation were highlighted as urgent priorities. Several representatives expressed frustration over stalled bills and emphasized the necessity of decisive action to fulfill their commitments made during their campaigns. The urgency was marked by the approaching deadline for bill passage, with only days remaining in the legislative session. Members urged House leadership to prioritize these bills, warning that failure to act would undermine public trust in their capacity to fulfill the Republicans' campaign promises.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, it seems like then what we're doing is taking away the ability of local elected officials
- They do vote on them, but it's hardly some elected officials' rights being taken away from them.
- If we get them registered in the right county, when they show up on election day, they won't have to
- For that election, we had to run a whole election.
- Right now, our election equipment in Texas does not support ranked-choice voting.
Keywords:
HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, please proceed.
- these water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
- Do you all have active outreach right now seeking those potential landowners or water rights donors?
- All right, the chair calls Brian Sledge. Thank you.
- That's all that takes place right now.
Keywords:
election, bonds, authorization, financial governance, public funding, HB 143, bond election, debt authorization, November uniform election date, Texas Election Code, emergency election, voter approval, municipal bonds, local government finance, public debt, school bonds, special election, uniform election date, bond issuance, water rights
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, March 2, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Keywords:
annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, elections, falsification, misleading, post-election, audit, state law, 916, all
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- To prohibit it from influencing elections and election officials. Okay, thanks. Madam Chair? Yes.
- the weekend before Election Day.
- The causal factor of both findings to the 2020 presidential election, when a Republican election denier
- Whatever it is, it's their right.
- It's their right.
Keywords:
sentencing, correctional facilities, multiple sentences, death penalty, aggravating circumstances, juvenile offenses, class 2 felony, foreign donations, election administration, certification, Arizona Revised Statutes, transparency, public disclosure, victims' rights, attorney fees, government accountability, right to counsel, legal representation, parents' rights, family law
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes and then took up several election, family court, and criminal justice bills. SB 1425, the “big bill,” would move Arizona’s 2026 primary election date earlier and adjust related election administration timelines; the chair’s amendment moved the primary to July 21 and removed the shortened curing/ID deadlines. County officials testified in support, explaining the timing changes and the need to align dates, and the committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do-pass recommendation. SB 1289, dealing with certifications for entities providing money or resources for election administration and foreign funding disclosures, also received a do-pass recommendation after testimony from supporters arguing it would block foreign influence in election administration and ballot issue spending. The committee later heard SCR 1013, a related resolution that would more directly prohibit foreign-source money for election administration and ballot measures; the sponsor and supporters said it was similar to SB 1289 but broader, and testimony focused on foreign money flowing through nonprofit networks.
The committee then considered SB 1326, which would allow courts to award attorney fees and costs to victims when a party violates or worsens a victim’s rights. A victim’s attorney testified that the bill would provide needed accountability and guidance, while opponents argued the term “exacerbates” was vague and that existing remedies already exist. The committee approved SB 1326 on a 4-3 vote. SB 1402, requiring courts to impose a fee on certain probationers to cover electronic monitoring costs, drew support from the sponsor and advocates who said offenders should pay for monitoring, and opposition from defense attorneys who warned it could burden indigent probationers and divert money from treatment; it also received a 4-3 do-pass recommendation.
The most extensive debate was on SB 1330, which would allow a parent in certain custody cases to request a jury trial on parenting time or legal decision-making. Supporters, including several parents, described costly and traumatic family court experiences and argued a jury would provide a neutral check on judges and court-appointed professionals. County and court representatives opposed the bill, saying family cases require specialized judicial expertise, jury trials would delay urgent matters, increase costs, and risk confidentiality. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted the bill on a 4-3 vote. The committee also approved SB 1328, which declares state policy favoring parental rights and a child’s equal access to both co-parents, after adopting an amendment adding legislative intent language. Finally, SB 1329, which would let parents sue court-appointed professionals who deviate from professional ethics or standards in custody matters, passed 4-3 after testimony from parents and advocates who said court appointees lack accountability, while opponents said existing malpractice and licensing remedies already address misconduct.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, seeing none.
- All right, members, any questions? All right, thank you, Mr. Fuller.
- All right.
- Hank, I got it right. All right. You are Hank Castellane.
- All right, thank you. Members, any other questions? Right.
Keywords:
redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 1st, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords:
constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, legislative attendance, task force, executive meetings, public meetings, confirmation process, delegates, state election, ratification, Louisiana, absentee voting, incarcerated voters, voter registration, mail-in voting, election rights, felony conviction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/9/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, it's the HOAs deciding this, right? And as Mr.
- Space Force, right?
- now, right?
- now, right?
- It depends, right?
Keywords:
flag display, residential property rights, homeowners association, HOA, covenants, restrictive covenant, deed restriction, subdivision regulation, local ordinance, rental agreement, property rights, patriotic display, United States flag, Minnesota flag, POW/MIA flag, military flags, armed forces flag, Blue Star flag, Gold Star flag, common interest community
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It simply helps cities align municipal elections with November elections by moving the date. of the election
- each election precinct.
- Right now, you have to go 25 days before the election, and the party has to write the judge a letter
- The Election Code already gives the Secretary the power to take action to protect citizens' voting rights
- All right, here we go.
Keywords:
Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm not sure what the right answer is. If we eliminate that, do we want a special election?
- One of the fundamental requirements that we have of our election. system is your right to secrecy.
- Have any of y'all worked an actual election? as a judge or a poll worker, right.
- So we couldn't have just 52 on election day. That wouldn't be right.
- Right now in In Harris County, there is a federal case on the election day, countywide breaches.
Bills:
SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16
Keywords:
voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, Justice Young. Thank you, Madam Chair. My name is Evan Young.
- You're exactly right.
- That's right, Senator.
- That's right. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- All right. Thank you.
Bills:
SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16
Keywords:
voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And then why would you put in a split between federal elections and state and local elections.
- to continue to maintain that right.
- Chairman, general election, you've got some people that are not qualified to vote in state elections
- That's right. So this has nothing to do with election day voting.
- the county or state elections.
Keywords:
elections, national elections, state elections, voter intent, election reform, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, campaign finance, ethics, political contributions, candidate committee, Oklahoma legislation, voter registration, political party affiliation, Independent designation, Oklahoma, voter eligibility
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- right around Fort Worth and San Antonio, which also hold their elections in May.
- November elections see higher voter turnout than May elections, even in odd-numbered years when state
- Would it have changed the election?
- All right, thank you. I appreciate you being here; you're dismissed. Thank you. All right.
- of the election process.
Bills:
SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38
Keywords:
evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony