All Roll Calls
Yes: 276 • No: 146
TexasHB 511589th Legislature Regular SessionHouse
Relating to the penalty for the crime of election fraud; increasing a criminal penalty.
Sponsored By: Caroline Fairly, Bryan Hughes (Republican), Terri Leo Wilson, John McQueeney, Jared Patterson, Matt Shaheen
Signed by Governor
Crimes--MiscellaneousElections--GeneralFRAUD
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tougher election fraud penalties in Texas
Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas election fraud is a second-degree felony, up from a Class A misdemeanor. Offenses committed by elected officials acting in that role are first-degree felonies, up from state jail felonies. Attempt convictions are third-degree felonies, up from Class B misdemeanors. The law also covers knowingly or intentionally trying to discard or destroy a completed ballot without the voter's consent. It covers counting votes known to be invalid, refusing to count votes known to be valid, and changing reports to include invalid votes or exclude valid votes. It repeals Election Code Sections 276.013(c) and 276.014; the supplied text does not explain their separate effects. The changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. If any part of an offense occurred before that date, the former law applies.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Caroline Fairly
House
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Terri Leo Wilson
House
John McQueeney
House
Jared Patterson
House
Matt Shaheen
House
Cosponsors
Creighton
Affiliation unavailable
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Carrie Isaac
House
Phil King
Republican • Senate
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
Will Metcalf
House
Matt Morgan
House
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 10
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 10
Senate vote • 5/26/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 10
Senate vote • 5/26/2025
Record vote
Yes: 21 • No: 10
House vote • 5/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 88 • No: 54
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 89 • No: 49
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: State Affairs
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Elections
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/30/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/28/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/28/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/28/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote
5/28/2025SenatePassed
5/28/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/28/2025SenateRecord vote
5/28/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/28/2025SenateNot again placed on intent calendar
5/28/2025SenateRecord vote
5/26/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/26/2025SenateRecord vote
5/26/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/26/2025SenatePlaced on intent calendar
5/26/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
5/26/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/25/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/25/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/22/2025SenateTestimony taken in committee
5/22/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/22/2025SenateScheduled for public hearing on . . .
5/22/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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