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Bill

SB 2209

Relating to the required use of hand-marked paper ballots for all elections.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Bob Hall

SB 2209 mandates Texas elections use only hand-marked paper ballots, replacing current electronic voting systems statewide with significant cost and operational implications.

Referred to State Affairs
#elections--administration(i0277) #elections--general(i0310)
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Bill Summary · SB 2209

Legislative bill overview

SB 2209 would mandate that all elections in Texas use hand-marked paper ballots as the primary voting method. The bill appears designed to replace or supplement existing electronic voting systems currently used across Texas counties, requiring a shift to paper-based ballot marking and counting procedures.

Why is this important

Voting system infrastructure directly affects election security, voter accessibility, and public confidence in election integrity. This bill addresses ongoing national debates about election administration methods, with significant implications for how Texas counties conduct and resource their elections, potentially requiring substantial investment in new equipment and training.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and timeline: Texas counties vary widely in resources; a statewide mandate could create budgetary strain for smaller counties and require expensive equipment replacement across 254 counties
  • Accessibility concerns: Hand-marked ballots may disadvantage voters with disabilities who currently rely on accessible voting machines (though paper ballots can include accessibility features like ballot-marking devices)
  • Operational efficiency: Paper-only systems could slow voting lines during high-turnout elections and require extensive poll worker training compared to current mixed systems
  • Partisan framing: Election security measures are increasingly politicized; this bill reflects broader debates about voting system trust despite limited evidence of systematic fraud in Texas elections

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

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