Transcript Highlights:

• if residents choose to do so, both through a local governing vote and a general vote of the public.
• So ranked-choice voting lets people vote their values and still have their vote count and outcome.
• You got 25 votes, you got one delegate. 32 votes, you got one delegate. 50 votes, two delegates. 63 votes
• In contrast, our current system of plurality voting allows winners who have as much as 20% or as little
• for ranked-choice voting.

Bills: H4916, H4262

Keywords: ranked choice voting, instant runoff voting, RCV, Bedford, municipal elections, town offices, local option, ballot question, election reform, plurality voting, multi-seat elections, single-seat elections, town clerk, tie-breaking, ballot tabulation, Boston elections, voter preference, local government, 1212, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked-choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916), along with related local-option legislation. Chairs Dan Hunt and John Keenan opened the hearing, limited testimony to three minutes, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The committee heard from a long series of municipal officials, advocacy groups, and residents, many of whom said ranked-choice voting would improve majority support, reduce negative campaigning, lessen the spoiler effect, and give voters more meaningful choices. Supporters included representatives from RepresentWomen, Reclaim Roxbury, the Boston Teachers Union, Veterans for All Voters, MassVote, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, Our Revolution Massachusetts, Boston City Councilors Ben Weber, Henry Santana, and Rutsi Luci Lejean, and Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune (appearing virtually). Bedford residents Ethan Storminger and Madeline Kondo also testified in favor of their town’s petition. Testimony emphasized local control, voter participation, coalition-building, and the idea that RCV could help women, marginalized communities, and underrepresented neighborhoods win office and be heard. Several speakers cited examples from Maine, Alaska, New York City, Portland, and Northern Ireland, and some noted that Boston voters previously supported RCV on the ballot. No one testified in opposition during the hearing. Committee members asked only a few brief questions, mostly about names or logistics, and there were no votes or formal actions taken on the bills during the hearing. The chair closed by inviting any additional written testimony and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• preferential voting.
• And when people go into that voting booth and vote for the person with the most votes, they're expecting
• 14% of the vote.
• I was a ranked-choice voting, instant runoff, preferential voting skeptic.
• It's why voting methods are sort of independent of the voting process.

Bills: HB376, HB817, HB 1297, HB1478, HB1661, HB1783

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote.
• I will vote for it. I'll vote for it here.
• voting, okay?
• Ability to vote by mail, and they have to go vote in person.
• Vote for it.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll explain my vote, please. Yes.
• I'll explain my yes vote. Girdler. I'll explain my yes vote.
• I'll explain my vote, Senator Madden. I'll explain my vote, please. please. please.
• I vote aye. Chair Wheeler. I vote aye.
• I<00:14:44.240><c> vote</c><00:14:44.560><c> I.</c> I vote I. I vote I.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:21 HB 480 Discussion: 01:40 HB 480 Voting: 02:36 HB 577 Discussion: 05:14 HB 577 Voting: 08:38 HB 692 Discussion: 09:23 HB 692 Voting: 14:00 HB 869 Discussion: 15:21 HB 869 Voting: 18:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ballot voted by mail.
• This was clearly not curbside voting; it was clearly not intended for mass voting.
• their right to vote.
• The early voting clerk has all authority over early voting by mail and early voting in person.
• Don't make it harder for people to vote. Just let people vote.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I voted for Representative John Bucy III.
• They go vote and register, you know, it's public information that they voted in the Republican or Democratic
• To vote for, so I definitely see the validity of this bill and why it's necessary.
• You weren't sure whether they could all vote for the different nominees or whether they could only vote
• That the convention can vote for that candidate. That's correct, yes.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to start hearing bills now and vote later.
• And before Help America Vote, this is how you vote.
• and voting by mail.
• early voting vote centers and mail ballot batches.
• The manual count was conducted for early voting vote centers of the eight precincts selected by the county

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

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

Bills: SB 1065, SB 2117, SB 2217, SB 2363, SB 2533, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3013, SB 3014

Keywords: election procedures, voting systems, ballot counting, voter registration, electronic voting, electioneering, public funds, political advertising, civil penalties, school district, election offenses, prosecution, criminal procedure, district attorney, disqualification, voting by mail, election process, ballot correction, voter notification, electoral integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• The first file for our consideration is Senate File 28, Elections, Voting Machine, and Voting System
• certified voting system is valid?
• </c> chair vote I. All those opposed? chair vote I. All those opposed? &gt;&gt; No. &gt;&gt; No.
• </c><01:10:28.159><c> So,</c> absentee voting. So, absentee voting.
• Announce the vote. ahead. Announce the vote.

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Brown voted aye, Representative Locke voted aye, Representative Hoeft voted aye, Representative
• Johnson voted aye, Representative Lucas voted aye, Representative Webb voted aye, Representative Weber
• voted aye, Representative Yin voted aye, and Chairman Knapp voted aye.
• </c> shall be a recount made of all votes. shall be a recount made of all votes.
• </c><00:22:55.600><c> cast</c><00:22:55.919><c> for</c> votes and the number of votes cast for votes

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• voting, and in-person voting.
• Senate Bill 2753 establishes a single continuous in-person voting period, combining early voting and
• employees working in early voting, and then you stop early voting, and now you can switch your whole
• , or early voting.
• And I'm sorry, if you can't manage to vote in 15 days, you probably weren't going to vote anyway.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills. SB 447 would let the City of Mission in Hidalgo County permanently move its municipal elections from May to the uniform November election date if it chooses. The bill was described as permissive and intended to increase turnout and reduce costs. Mission’s mayor testified in support, saying voters had already approved the change by a wide margin in a charter amendment election. The bill was left pending after no objection. SB 2217 focused on standardizing election data reporting and reconciliation across counties to improve transparency and comparability. Testimony was generally supportive of the goal, but Dr. Laura Presley and others flagged technical issues, including a discrepancy between a three-ballot mismatch threshold in existing law and a 1% threshold in part of the bill, plus a definition issue involving central accumulators. Supporters said consistent auditing and reconciliation would help election integrity, while the bill was also left pending. The committee then took up SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period that would combine early voting and Election Day into one uninterrupted process, with precinct consolidation and other changes. Supporters said it could simplify administration, reduce equipment changes, and improve security by using one set of machines. Opponents and neutral witnesses raised concerns about cost, staffing, ballot security, reporting changes, weekend voting, and whether the bill was ready for implementation; several urged a pilot or study instead. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. SB 505 would create a process for election workers, candidates, party officials, and measure proponents or opponents to request explanations of election irregularities, with escalation to the Secretary of State for audit or enforcement if responses were unsatisfactory. Supporters said it would provide a way to resolve irregularities and restore confidence, while opponents argued it was too broad, lacked guardrails against abuse, and could be used by partisan actors to pressure counties. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 311 would expand Texas’s online voter registration system to first-time registrants and others, with supporters citing efficiency, lower costs, and broader access, and opponents raising concerns about signature verification and implementation details. Testimony was cut short because of the session deadline, and the bill had not been disposed of in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• voting, and in-person voting.
• period, combining early voting and election day voting with no gaps in between.
• employees working in early voting, and then you stop early voting, and now you can switch your whole
• or early voting.
• And I'm sorry, if you can't manage to vote in 15 days, you probably weren't going to vote anyway.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Summary: The House Committee on Elections met with a quorum present and heard several election-related bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The first measure, SB 447, would allow the City of Mission to move its municipal elections from May to November on a one-time, permanent basis. Supporters, including Mission’s mayor, said voters had already approved the change by a wide margin and argued it would improve turnout and reduce costs. The bill was left pending after no objection. The committee then heard SB 2217, which was described as a transparency measure to standardize election data reporting and reconciliation across counties. Testimony focused on a technical issue involving discrepancy thresholds for electronic voting system reconciliation, with one witness urging the bill be aligned with existing law’s “more than 3” standard rather than a 1% threshold, and another suggesting a definition fix. The bill was left pending. Members also heard SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period by combining early voting and election day into one uninterrupted period, with a committee substitute making it a pilot and permissive. Supporters said it could simplify administration and improve security, while opponents warned it would increase costs, require more staffing and equipment, delay results, and create logistical problems for counties. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 505 would let certain election stakeholders request explanations of irregularities from election officials and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for audit or possible conservatorship. Supporters framed it as a tool for accountability and transparency, while opponents called it overly broad and vulnerable to abuse. The bill was left pending. The committee also took up HB 311, which would expand online voter registration to first-time registrants and direct state agencies to develop a pathway for Texans without a driver’s license to register online. Supporters argued it would modernize the process, reduce errors, and save money, while opponents said first-time applicants still need a wet signature and raised concerns about signature verification and implementation. Due to the late hour and floor deadline, testimony was cut off, the names of remaining witnesses were read into the record, and the bill was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that bill over until we get to a point to where we feel that it's something that can be brought for a vote
• > for</c><00:05:47.199><c> or</c><00:05:47.440><c> for</c><00:05:47.680><c> a</c><00:05:47.919><c> vote
• </c><00:05:48.720><c> But</c> brought for or for a vote. But brought for or for a vote.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , early voting, and provisional voting.
• and Election Day voting.
• Election Day voting.
• and Election Day voting.
• Okay, explain my vote. You certainly may. Mr.

Bills: SB1006, SB1029, SB1037, SB1038, SB1040, SB1057, SB1060, SB1237

Keywords: campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system

Transcript Highlights:

• You go to vote, most of them are going to vote close by their neighborhoods. voting locations in there
• County-wide voting, vote centers as they are.
• voting.
• voting.
• are voting. voting or not voting.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• event, including early voting, mail-in voting, and in-person voting.
• You need to have the whole state go to countywide voting or early voting.
• Number ten, the ballots voted...
• Vote in 15 days, you probably weren't going to vote anyway. Thanks. Thank you, sir.
• , all early votes twice.

Bills: HB311, SB447, SB505, SB2217, SB2753, HB311

Keywords: voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, would any member like to record a vote on Senate Bill 261?
• I would like to record an I vote on Senate Bill 261. Okay. It is recorded.
• ><00:14:02.839><c> a</c> Uh would any member like to record a Uh would any member like to record a vote
• </c> vote on Senate Bill 261? vote on Senate Bill 261? Representative<00:14:06.040><c> Elliott.
• </c><00:14:11.120><c> on</c> would like to record an I vote on would like to record an I vote on Senate

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:32 SB 261 Discussion: 01:40 SB 261 Voting: 05:37 SB 324 Discussion: 06:23 SB 324 Voting: 12:56, 958, all

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:33 SB 136 Discussion: 01:47 SB 136 Voting: 09:17 SB 249 Discussion: 11:05 SB 249 Voting: 12:57, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote I.
• </c><00:02:44.160><c> I</c><00:02:44.440><c> vote</c><00:02:44.960><c> I.</c> Senator Wise.
• I vote I. Senator Wise. Chair Wheeler. I vote I.
• And thank you for doing this, and I'll be happy to vote for this to be the new state mushroom. may know
• for this to be the new state vote for this to be the new state mushroom.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:26 SB 343 Discussion: 01:00 SB 343 Voting: 02:25 SB 19 Discussion: 03:25 SB 19 Voting: 20:10, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vote yes today.<00:20:43.520><c> Thank</c><00:20:43.679><c> you,</c><00:20:43.840><c> Representative
• I'm going to vote I.
• [clears throat] >> I vote yes, ma'am. And Representative... >> I vote yes, ma'am.
• But I appreciate the opportunity to vote yes and committee on the floor.
• yes and committee on opportunity to vote yes and committee on the<00:23:19.840><c> floor.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:38 HB 576 discussion: 01:56 HB 576 voting: 06:54 HB 593 discussion: 08:25 HB 593 voting: 21:58, 958, all