✅Relating to election supplies and the conduct of elections; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties.

HB 1661

✅ HB 1661: Minimum Ballot Requirements to Prevent Election Shortages

What it says it does:
HB 1661 ensures every polling place in Texas has enough ballots for voters. It sets a statewide minimum based on prior turnout plus an extra 25 percent. The goal is to stop ballot shortages like those seen in Harris County during the 2022 election.

What it actually changes:
The bill writes a ballot minimum formula into law and makes it a Class A misdemeanor if an election official intentionally fails to meet that minimum or delays resupplying ballots. It also raises penalties for obstructing ballot delivery or leaking results early.

Who is pushing for it:
Support in the files came from law enforcement groups and conservative advocacy organizations such as the Texas Municipal Police Association, Houston Police Officers’ Union, Dallas Police Association, and Texas Eagle Forum. The Secretary of State’s staff testified “on” the bill.

Who benefits:
Voters who previously faced ballot shortages gain stronger assurance that supplies will be ready. County election administrators get clear legal standards for how many ballots to print and when to send more.

Who gets left out or exposed:
No specific group is excluded, but the bill does not define what “promptly” means when sending extra ballots. That could allow uneven enforcement or confusion if a county acts in good faith but is accused of moving too slowly.

Why this matters long term:
HB 1661 builds voter confidence by setting clear election-day standards. It also increases accountability for officials who fail to plan or respond to shortages. A future update could define “promptly” to prevent local disputes or politicized enforcement.

What to watch next:
Watch whether the Secretary of State issues any guidance to clarify response times for ballot resupply, and whether the Legislature adds a tracking or reporting system to monitor shortages statewide.

Bottom line:
HB 1661 is a practical fix that improves election reliability without adding bureaucracy. It’s a clean, narrowly focused bill that keeps voters protected, as long as “promptly” doesn’t become a loophole.

#HB1661 #TexasPolicy #TexasElections #ElectionIntegrity #BallotAccess #KnowBeforeYouVote