TX HB703

Expands the Secretary of State's authority to take action against violations of the Election Code and to order election officials to correct conduct that violates election law provisions

Creates a new state election marshal position appointed by the Secretary of State, with regional election marshals assigned at a ratio of one per 1,000,000 residents in each Department of Public Safety region; marshals must be licensed peace officers commissioned by DPS with election law training

Authorizes election marshals to investigate alleged election code violations supported by affidavits, use lawful means to prevent violations, seek court orders and warrants, and file criminal charges when probable cause exists

Establishes judicial disqualification rules requiring judges in election injunction cases involving local election officials to be replaced by judges from outside the affected geographic area

Creates emergency election review judge system requiring presiding judges of administrative judicial regions to appoint visiting judges at least 60 days before elections, with mandatory hearings within 1-3 hours of receiving requests during the election period