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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
HB2259

Regular Session

Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB2259: Government Affairs Overview

HB2259 mandates strict typography (Calibri or Aptos) and layout standards for Early Voting Ballot Application instructions, effectively stripping design discretion from private vendors and political consultants. This legislation renders all current inventory of application instruction forms obsolete effective September 1, 2025, requiring commercial printers and corporate civic engagement programs to overhaul design templates and destroy non-compliant stock.

Rep. Mano DeAyala·House Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Texas Secretary of State

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HB2259
Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote131 - 1
YEA
99% in favor132 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
1
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Secretary of State
Primary Author: Rep. Mano DeAyala
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025
  • *Note:* There is no grace period. Any material distributed on this date must match the new statutory specifications.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Secretary of State (SOS) must prescribe the official form instructions prior to the effective date.
  • *Regulatory Gray Zone:* Between now and Summer 2025. Businesses must wait for the SOS to define the "largest feasible font size" before finalizing print runs.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Inventory: Immediately quantify existing stock of Early Voting Ballot Application instructions and schedule their destruction for late August 2025.
  • 2. Freeze Procurement: Halt all bulk ordering of these forms for the late 2025/2026 cycle until the SOS releases the official design standards.
  • 3. Update Templates: Alert internal design teams to the new constraints: Portrait orientation, 8.5x11 paper, Calibri or Aptos font only.
  • 4. Notify Vendors: Send formal notice to your print vendors regarding the upcoming statutory change to prevent them from auto-renewing orders with obsolete templates.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Vendor Agreements: Update Master Services Agreements (MSAs) with print vendors to explicitly cite Texas Election Code Sec. 84.0112 as amended.
  • Liability Clauses: Shift liability for ballot rejection to the design/print vendor if rejection is caused by non-compliance with font (Calibri/Aptos), size, or orientation mandates.
  • Deliverables: Condition final payment on the production of a "proof" that matches the SOS-prescribed template exactly.

Hiring/Training

  • Design Teams: Instruct graphic design staff that "creative license" is prohibited for this document. They must strictly adhere to the SOS template regarding bolding, font family (Calibri/Aptos), and margins.
  • Inventory Managers: Staff must be trained to identify and segregate pre-HB2259 forms to prevent accidental distribution during the 2026 election cycle.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Version Control: Implement a strict version control log. You must be able to prove that the version sent to a voter or employee was the compliant post-September 2025 version.
  • Proof Retention: Retain physical or digital proofs of all print runs to defend against potential claims of disenfranchisement should a county reject applications based on formatting.

Fees & Costs

  • Inventory Write-Offs: Budget for the total loss of existing pre-printed ABBM instruction stock. These cannot be used after August 31, 2025.
  • Retooling: Anticipate minor one-time costs for redesigning templates to meet the portrait-only, 8.5x11, single-sheet requirement.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute grants the Secretary of State discretion that creates operational uncertainty:

  • 1. "Largest Feasible Font": The law requires 12-point font *unless* it does not fit on a single page, at which point the SOS determines the size. You cannot guess this size; you must wait for the agency ruling.
  • 2. Language Requirements: The SOS determines the languages required based on "demographic composition." Do not assume a standard English/Spanish split; wait for the official directive to see if additional languages (e.g., Vietnamese, Chinese) are mandated for the statewide form.
  • 3. Bolding: The SOS determines where bold print is "necessary." Arbitrary bolding by your design team may render the form non-compliant.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 30, 2025
Passed House
May 1, 2025
Passed Senate
May 25, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsElectionsElections--early VotingElections--generalSecretary of State
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House Authors

Rep. Mano DeAyalaRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB2259

Q

What does Texas HB2259 do?

HB2259 mandates strict typography (Calibri or Aptos) and layout standards for Early Voting Ballot Application instructions, effectively stripping design discretion from private vendors and political consultants. This legislation renders all current inventory of application instruction forms obsolete effective September 1, 2025, requiring commercial printers and corporate civic engagement programs to overhaul design templates and destroy non-compliant stock.

Q

Who authored HB2259?

HB2259 was authored by Texas Representative Mano DeAyala during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB2259 signed into law?

HB2259 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB2259?

HB2259 is enforced by Texas Secretary of State.

Q

How significant are the changes in HB2259?

The regulatory priority for HB2259 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB2259?

The cost impact of HB2259 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB2259 address?

HB2259 addresses topics including elections, elections--early voting, elections--general and secretary of state.

Q

What are the key dates for HB2259?

Key dates for HB2259: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Rulemaking: Prescribe updated instructions for the official early voting ballot application form, adhering to specific font (Calibri/Aptos), size (12pt+), and layout (portrait, 8.5x11) requirements. (2025-09-01). Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026