🔴Relating to the penalty for the crime of election fraud; increasing a criminal penalty

HB 5115

🔴 HB 5115: Felony Penalties Expanded for Election Fraud

What it says it does:
HB 5115 raises the punishment for anyone who commits election fraud in Texas. It says it will protect election integrity by making sure no one can fake votes or change results without facing serious consequences.

What it actually changes:
The bill expands what counts as election fraud to include things like refusing to count a valid vote or counting a vote that might be invalid. It raises most penalties from misdemeanors to felonies, with possible prison sentences of up to 20 years. It also removes earlier provisions that gave higher penalties for targeting seniors or repeat offenders.

Who is pushing for it:
Supporters in the files include True Texas Elections, Secure Texas Elections affiliates, and several ballot security activists.

Who benefits:
Groups promoting strict election laws gain influence, along with politicians who campaign on “election integrity.” Counties and election contractors may see demand for more compliance training and legal review services.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Local election workers, many of them volunteers, could face felony charges for good-faith mistakes. Seniors lose enhanced protections that were repealed. Counties get no new funding to train staff or handle these new risks.

Why this matters long term:
By shifting election disputes into the criminal justice system, HB 5115 moves power from local election boards to prosecutors. That means less local control, less flexibility, and more fear of prosecution during vote counts.

What to watch next:
Future bills could extend felony exposure into mail ballot processing, recounts, or voter registration. Watch for laws that criminalize administrative judgment calls rather than deliberate fraud.

Bottom line:
HB 5115 sounds tough on election crime, but it makes honest mistakes punishable as felonies and removes targeted protections for seniors. It tightens control from Austin and gives prosecutors more reach into local elections without adding funding or safeguards.