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Bill

HB 295

Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025) Introduced by Daniel Alders and 77 co-sponsors

Texas bill allows voters to use outdated addresses at polls and makes registration changes effective immediately when registrars receive address change notices.

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
#elections--administration(i0277) #elections--general(i0310) #elections--registration&suffrage(i0265) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #politicalsubdivisions(i0588)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 295

Legislative bill overview

HB 295 modifies Texas election procedures to allow voters to cast ballots using non-current residence addresses and establishes that voter registration changes become immediately effective upon the registrar receiving certain address change notices (such as those from the U.S. Postal Service). The bill streamlines the administrative process for updating voter rolls while maintaining voter participation opportunities.

Why is this important

Voter registration accuracy directly affects election integrity and voter access. This bill addresses a practical tension: voters who have moved but haven't updated their registration may face ballot-casting barriers, while registrars need clear procedures for when registration changes take effect. The immediate effectiveness provision could reduce administrative delays in processing address changes, though it also affects the timeline for removing ineligible voters from rolls.

Potential points of contention

  • Election security vs. access: Critics may argue immediate registration changes without verification periods create vulnerabilities; supporters contend outdated address requirements disenfranchise eligible voters
  • Administrative burden: Implementation requires registrars to process and verify address change notices quickly; capacity concerns exist in smaller counties
  • Ballot accuracy: Allowing non-current addresses on ballots could create confusion about voter eligibility and residency requirements, which are fundamental to election law
  • Coordination with address verification sources: The bill's reliance on third-party address notices (USPS, etc.) depends on reliable data-sharing mechanisms and accuracy of external sources

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

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