TX HB3775

Counties with populations of 1 million or more may begin opening ballot envelopes and counting early voting mail ballots starting at 7 a.m. on the sixth day before election day, earlier than currently permitted

Counties with populations between 100,000 and 1 million may begin processing mail ballots at the end of the early voting period, while smaller counties must wait until polls open on election day

Early voting ballot boards must remove ballot envelopes from carrier envelopes without opening them during initial processing, and ballots not returned in official envelopes may be placed in empty envelopes

Chain of custody paperwork must be maintained documenting the number of accepted ballots and envelopes placed in ballot boxes or containers

When containers are sealed, chain of custody documents must be signed by the presiding judge, a board member from a different political party, and at least one poll watcher if present

Takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to elections held on or after that date