Texas House Bill HJR 122

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/24/25

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing certain persons under the age of 18 to vote in a primary election.

Summary

HJR 122 proposes a constitutional amendment to let certain Texans who are still under 18 vote in a primary election, so long as they will be 18 or older by the date of the following general election for state and county officers and otherwise meet voter eligibility requirements. The measure would add a new section to Article VI of the Texas Constitution authorizing the Legislature, by general law, to permit this early primary voting. If approved by voters, the amendment would not itself change election procedures immediately, but would give the Legislature constitutional authority to enact laws allowing this category of near-18 voters to participate in primaries before they reach voting age for the general election. The amendment is set for submission to voters at the November 4, 2025 election, with the ballot language focused on whether to authorize these pre-18 primary voters.

Impact

The bill would amend the Texas Constitution, specifically Article VI, by creating a new constitutional basis for primary voting by eligible persons who are still 17 at the time of the primary but will be 18 by the general election. Its practical effect would be to permit future state election laws to include these voters in primary elections, affecting election administration, voter registration timing, and eligibility rules for primary participation. It would not by itself change statutory election procedures, but would open the door for implementing legislation.

Sentiment

The available record shows little direct debate or recorded voting activity, so there is no clear evidence of strong support or opposition in the materials provided. The bill’s referral to the Elections Committee suggests it was treated as an election-administration proposal rather than a highly contentious measure at this stage. Overall, the proposal appears technical and targeted, with the main public question likely centered on whether younger voters who will be eligible by the general election should also help choose nominees in the primary.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be whether allowing under-18 voters in primaries is appropriate, since opponents may view primary participation as a form of voting before the constitutional voting age, while supporters may argue it is reasonable for those who will be 18 by the general election to help select candidates earlier in the cycle. Another possible issue is administrative complexity, because election officials would need to verify that a voter meets the age condition tied to the later general election. No specific committee objections, amendments, or recorded votes are included in the provided materials.