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Signed Into Law
Signed June 22, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB2753

Regular Session

Relating to the integration of early voting by personal appearance and election day voting, including the manner in which election returns are processed and other related changes.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB2753: Government Affairs Overview

SB2753 mandates a structural overhaul of election logistics and data reporting, requiring that all early voting locations also serve as Election Day polling places and enforcing a 12-hour voting window for the final days of early voting. While primarily targeting county election administrators, this law forces election technology vendors to immediately upgrade software to support granular "polling location" versus "precinct" reporting and alters "Time Off to Vote" compliance obligations for all Texas employers.

Sen. Bob Hall·Senate Bill·Regular Session

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

Commissioners Courts • County Clerks / Elections Administrators • Local Canvassing Authorities • Texas Secretary of State

Business Impact

Who SB2753 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-09-01). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

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Technology

Affected business types:

  • Data centers
  • Technology companies
  • Software developers
  • Telecommunications providers
View all technology legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Staffing Agencies: Contracts for temporary election workers must account for the extended 12-hour shifts required during the final four days of early voting.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB2753
Moderate
Relating to the integration of early voting by personal appearance and election day voting, including the manner in which election returns are process...
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Commissioners CourtsCounty Clerks / Elections Admini...Local Canvassing AuthoritiesTexas Secretary of State
Primary Author: Sen. Bob Hall
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: Contingent. Operational compliance is triggered only for elections ordered *after* the Secretary of State (SOS) publishes a preparedness report. This report is due no later than August 1, 2027.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The SOS must consult with county officials and publish specific procedures for tabulating voters per polling location and security protocols for voting machines. Expect draft rules between 2025 and 2027.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Tech Audit: Election vendors must immediately verify if current software architecture can segment vote totals by "Polling Location" as a distinct data field from "Precinct."
  • 2. Update HR Manuals: Employers should adjust voting leave policies to reflect the new 12-hour polling window availability.
  • 3. Renegotiate Leases: County administrators must secure Election Day availability for all current Early Voting branch locations.
  • 4. Monitor Texas Register: Legal counsel must track SOS rulemaking regarding Section 19 security protocols to ensure liability protection.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Election Technology Vendors: Master Service Agreements (MSAs) must be reviewed immediately. Counties will require guarantees that tabulation software can generate reports separating "votes by precinct" and "votes by polling location" without additional custom development fees.
  • Facility Leases: Agreements for early voting sites (e.g., community centers, churches) must be amended to include usage rights for Election Day, as the law now mandates these sites remain active through the general election.
  • Staffing Agencies: Contracts for temporary election workers must account for the extended 12-hour shifts required during the final four days of early voting.

Hiring/Training

  • Machine Security Protocols: Presiding judges and clerks require training on Section 19 mandates, which compel the specific locking and securing of voting machines at the close of *each* early voting day.
  • HR Policy (General Employers): Review "Time Off to Vote" policies. With mandatory polling hours extending to 12 hours (e.g., 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM), most employees will now have two consecutive non-work hours to vote, reducing the employer's statutory obligation to provide paid time off for voting.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Granular Data Reporting: Post-election reports must now include the total number of voters who cast ballots at *each specific polling location*, distinct from precinct totals.
  • Website Compliance: Entities maintaining a website must publicly post results broken down by personal appearance, mail, and polling location.
  • Audit Trails: Presiding judges must generate and retain "Zero-Count" tapes immediately before polls open on the first day of early voting and Election Day.

Fees & Costs

  • Operational Increases: Expect higher costs for election workers (overtime/longer shifts) and facility utilities due to extended hours.
  • Vendor Costs: Potential costs for software patches if current systems cannot handle the new multi-dimensional data reporting requirements.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • The "Preparedness" Trigger: The law's enforcement is contingent on the SOS certifying that counties are "prepared." The statute does not define the metrics for this preparedness. If the SOS delays this report, implementation could theoretically stall beyond August 2027, though businesses should plan for the 2027 deadline.
  • Technical Standards: Section 12 requires reporting by "polling location," but the SOS has not yet defined the file format or data standards for this reporting. Vendors are currently operating in a regulatory gray zone regarding the technical specs.

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JD Key Consulting specializes in Texas regulatory compliance strategy. Work directly with James Dickey—former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas—to understand this bill's impact on your operations and develop an actionable compliance plan.

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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
Mar 14, 2025
Passed Senate
May 6, 2025
Passed House
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 22, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsCounty GovernmentCounty Government--generalCrimesCrimes--miscellaneousDisabilities, Persons WithElectionsElections--administrationElections--early VotingElections--election OfficersElections--voting SystemsElectronic Information SystemsGovernorLegislaturePolitical SubdivisionsState FinancesState Finances--management & ControlElectioneeringEmail & Electronic CommunicationsLieutenant GovernorRecords ManagementSpeaker of the HouseAttorney GeneralSecretary of StateInterim Studies
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Bob HallRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (2)

House Sponsor

Rep. Carrie IsaacRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

Showing first 50k characters.

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 SB2753

Q

What does Texas SB2753 do?

SB2753 mandates a structural overhaul of election logistics and data reporting, requiring that all early voting locations also serve as Election Day polling places and enforcing a 12-hour voting window for the final days of early voting. While primarily targeting county election administrators, this law forces election technology vendors to immediately upgrade software to support granular "polling location" versus "precinct" reporting and alters "Time Off to Vote" compliance obligations for all Texas employers.

Q

Who authored SB2753?

SB2753 was authored by Texas Senator Bob Hall during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB2753 signed into law?

SB2753 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 22, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB2753?

SB2753 is enforced by Commissioners Courts, County Clerks / Elections Administrators, Local Canvassing Authorities and Texas Secretary of State.

Q

How significant are the changes in SB2753?

The regulatory priority for SB2753 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB2753?

The cost impact of SB2753 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB2753 address?

SB2753 addresses topics including county government, county government--general, crimes, crimes--miscellaneous and disabilities, persons with.

Q

What are the key dates for SB2753?

Key dates for SB2753: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Rulemaking: Adopt rules and prescribe procedures for implementation; publish a report in the Texas Register confirming consultation with county officials and confidence in county preparedness. (2027-08-01); Prescribe procedures for tabulating total voters per precinct and polling location (Section 12). (Unspecified (Implementation Phase)). Consul

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