Voting in Texas: Key Takeaways from the 2025 Legislative Session

Over the past 140 days, Texas lawmakers considered a wide range of bills aimed at reshaping how elections are run in our state. This session brought renewed focus to issues of election integrity, voter registration, and access to the ballot box—core pillars of our civic process.

While not all of the bills advanced, each one reflected broader debates about access, security, and the evolving nature of our electoral system. These conversations serve as a powerful reminder: no matter where you stand politically, there’s one shared goal we can rally around—ensuring that every eligible Texan can vote easily and fairly.

A Closer Look: Key Election Bills from the 89th Legislative Session

Below is a summary of the most notable election-related legislation considered this session. For each, we’ve included a plain-language overview and the bill’s final status to help Texans, employers, and community leaders understand what changed, what didn’t, and what may come next.

House Bill 951 – Party Affiliation for Primary Voting

• This bill proposed requiring voters to formally affiliate with a political party to participate in that party's primary elections, thereby limiting crossover voting.

• Status: Referred to House Elections Committee; did not advance.

House Bill 3936 – Mandatory Re-registration Post Presidential Elections

• This legislation aimed to cancel all voter registrations following each presidential election, requiring voters to re-register to maintain updated voter rolls.

• Status: Referred to House Elections Committee; did not advance.

Senate Bill 533 – Uniform Election Dates for Fiscal Measures

• This bill sought to mandate that elections related to the issuance of bonds or tax increases be held on the November uniform election date to enhance voter turnout and awareness..

• Status: Referred to Senate State Affairs Committee; did not advance.

Senate Bill 76 / House Bill 2990 – Elimination of Countywide Voting in Urban Areas

• These companion bills aimed to eliminate the Countywide Polling Place Program (CWPPP), which allows voters in participating counties to vote at any polling location on Election Day.

• Status: SB 76: Left pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee; HB 2990: Referred to the House Elections Committee; the bill did not advance.

Senate Bill 985 – Adjustment to Polling Place Requirements for CWPPP Counties

• Amended existing laws to ease the requirements for the number of polling places in counties participating in the CWPPP, addressing administrative challenges faced by election officials.

• Status: Passed; effective September 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 16 - Proof of Citizenship Requirements

• Proposed requiring individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote. The bill aimed to prevent noncitizen voting but raised concerns about the potential disenfranchisement of eligible voters lacking such documentation. It was among the most sweeping proof-of-citizenship proposals in the U.S. and would have applied retroactively to all voters.

• Status: Passed the Senate but failed to advance in the House before the session concluded.

Looking Ahead: Implications for Future Elections

This session highlighted a continued trend toward more restrictive voting measures. These efforts will likely reemerge in future sessions, reflecting an ongoing debate over how to balance security with access.

The broader takeaway is straightforward: Texans need clarity, consistency, and trustworthy information about how to participate in elections. Without it, confusion and disengagement are real risks, especially among young voters and those impacted most by administrative changes.

What Does This Mean for You?

Even with the session behind us, the work is far from over. Civic participation is not just about casting a ballot. It’s about staying informed, asking questions, and helping others do the same.

Your voice and your actions matter. By helping to share accurate, nonpartisan information, you play a vital role in strengthening civic life across Texas.

For Employers: What You Need to Know

Employers are uniquely positioned to support civic engagement through education and communication. Here are three great ways to start:

• Stay Informed. Legislative proposals can directly affect employee access to voting. Know the rules!

• Offer trusted resources. Share clear, timely information about voter registration, election dates, and procedural updates. Make sure it’s always nonpartisan!

• Model civic leadership. Host nonpartisan information sessions, collaborate with civic organizations, or offer your team paid time off to vote.

A well-informed workforce is a more engaged one. When businesses step up, they help strengthen trust, participation, and community well-being.

The Bottom Line

The 89th Legislative Session may be over, but the conversation about voting in Texas is just beginning. Let’s stay engaged, share what we know, and work together to make sure every eligible Texan can vote with clarity and confidence.

If you would like to get involved, IGC Institute is here to help. Together, we can meet this moment with clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to building a more informed and connected Texas.