Texas House Bill HB 3827

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/5/25

Caption

Relating to unlawful solicitation and distribution of a voter registration application; creating a criminal offense.

Summary

HB 3827 would add a new section to the Texas Election Code making it a criminal offense for a public official or election official, while acting in an official capacity, to solicit a voter registration application from someone who did not ask for one, distribute an unsolicited application, use public funds to facilitate third-party distribution of unsolicited applications, or complete part of an application and then distribute it to an applicant. The bill also clarifies that simply providing general information about voter registration, the registration process, or deadlines is not prohibited, and it exempts conduct by an official acting as a candidate for elective office. The bill creates a state jail felony for violations and allows injunctive relief or mandamus, while preserving other remedies available under the Election Code or other law. It also includes a narrow exception for making voter registration applications available on a publicly accessible website. The bill would take effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber, or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Impact

HB 3827 would expand the Election Code by creating Section 276.0175 and adding a new criminal offense tied to the handling of voter registration applications by public and election officials. It would restrict certain official conduct involving unsolicited distribution or solicitation of registration forms, while preserving authorized distribution under existing Election Code provisions and allowing informational outreach that does not involve direct solicitation or distribution. The bill would affect public officials, election officials, and any government-funded efforts that facilitate third-party distribution of voter registration applications.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available legislative context, the measure appears to be framed as an election-integrity or anti-abuse proposal, with a focus on limiting unsolicited handling of voter registration applications by officials. No committee transcript or recorded vote information is available in the provided materials, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broader support or opposition. The referral to the Elections Committee suggests the bill was considered within the usual policy area for election administration.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the bill’s restriction on public officials and election officials distributing or soliciting voter registration applications without a request, and the criminal penalty attached to violations. Supporters would likely view the bill as preventing improper political influence or misuse of public resources, while critics may argue it could chill legitimate voter registration outreach, especially by election administrators or government offices that assist eligible voters. The exceptions for general information, website access, and candidate activity appear designed to narrow the scope, but the line between permissible information-sharing and prohibited solicitation could still be disputed.