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Bill

HB 4289

Relating to the availability on the Internet of a candidate's application for a place on the ballot and campaign treasurer appointment.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Mihaela Pleșa

Texas election authorities must publish candidates' ballot applications and campaign treasurer forms online to increase electoral transparency and public accountability.

Referred to Elections
#elections--campaignfinancing(i0290) #elections--candidates(i0280) #ethics(i0345) #internet(s0130)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 4289

Legislative bill overview

HB 4289 requires Texas election officials to make candidates' ballot applications and campaign treasurer appointment forms publicly available on the internet. The bill mandates online accessibility of these documents that are currently filed with election authorities but may not be easily accessible to the public.

Why is this important

Public access to candidate filings increases transparency in the electoral process, allowing voters and watchdog organizations to verify candidate information and track campaign financial structures. This promotes accountability by making it easier for citizens to identify potential conflicts of interest or verify candidates' claimed qualifications and experience.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Publishing complete applications and treasurer appointments online could expose personal contact information, addresses, or other identifying details about candidates and campaign officials that some consider security risks
  • Administrative burden: Election offices would need to develop systems to digitize, upload, and maintain these documents across multiple elections, potentially requiring additional staffing or technology infrastructure
  • Implementation scope: Unclear whether the bill applies retroactively to past elections or only future filings, and what happens if documents contain redactable information (Social Security numbers, bank details, etc.)

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

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