TX HB4780

County party chairs gain direct authority to appoint presiding judges and alternate presiding judges from their submitted candidate lists, shifting appointment power from commissioners courts to party chairs based on which party received more gubernatorial votes in each precinct

Shortens the deadline for supplementing election judge lists from the 20th day to the 5th day before general or special elections, and reduces notice delivery time from 20 days to 7 days after appointment

Requires presiding judges and alternate presiding judges to each appoint at least one clerk from their own political party's list, with the goal of maintaining equal numbers of clerks from each party at polling places

Mandates county clerks establish a secure online platform accessible to party chairs at least 60 days before elections, showing real-time information on judge/clerk names, contact information, polling place assignments, and assignment dates

Limits election worker travel requirements where possible to no more than an estimated 20 minutes from their residence, and requires written approval from party chairs before emergency replacement appointments can be made