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SB 1436

Relating to accepting an early voting ballot voted by mail; creating a criminal offense.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt

SB 1436 establishes criminal penalties for improper handling of Texas mail-in early voting ballots and modifies election official procedures for processing them.

Committee report printed and distributed
#elections--administration(i0277) #elections--earlyvoting(i0260) #elections--electionofficers(i0305) #elections--general(i0310)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1436

Legislative bill overview

SB 1436 modifies Texas election law regarding early voting by mail procedures and establishes criminal penalties for violations related to acceptance or handling of mail-in ballots. The bill clarifies procedures for how election officials process early voting ballots received by mail and creates new criminal offenses for improper conduct in this process.

Why is this important

Mail-in voting has become increasingly common and contentious in election administration. This bill directly impacts how election officials handle a significant portion of votes cast and establishes legal consequences for procedural violations, affecting both election workers and potentially voters in Texas.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope of criminalized conduct: The specific behaviors that trigger criminal penalties may be unclear, potentially affecting election workers who face jail time for administrative errors versus intentional misconduct
  • Election official discretion vs. rigid procedures: Balancing flexibility needed in real-world election administration against clear rules designed to prevent irregularities and fraud
  • Voter impact: Provisions may affect voter options for submitting mail-in ballots or have unintended consequences for legitimate early voting participation rates

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

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