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HJR 15

Proposing a constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.

89th Legislature, 1st Called Session (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 10 co-sponsors

Constitutional amendment centralizing Texas election law prosecutions under the state Attorney General rather than local district attorneys.

Filed
#attorneygeneral(v2811) #elections--general(i0310) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661)
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Bill Summary · HJR 15

Legislative bill overview

HJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly grant Texas's Attorney General the authority to prosecute crimes under the state's election laws. Currently, election law violations may be prosecuted by local district attorneys, but this amendment would clarify and potentially expand the AG's prosecutorial jurisdiction over electoral offenses.

Why is this important

Election law enforcement is a politically sensitive area where jurisdiction disputes can arise between state and local authorities. This amendment would centralize prosecution authority, potentially affecting how election-related crimes—such as voter registration fraud, illegal voting, or ballot handling violations—are investigated and prosecuted across Texas.

Potential points of contention

  • Centralization of power: Consolidating election prosecutions under a single statewide office could reduce local prosecutorial discretion and accountability, raising concerns about uniform vs. localized justice standards
  • Partisan implications: Election law enforcement has become increasingly contentious; critics may view this as enabling partisan use of prosecutorial authority by a statewide elected official
  • Constitutional necessity debate: Opponents may question whether a constitutional amendment is needed or whether statutory clarification of existing authority would be more appropriate and flexible

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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