TX HB968

Candidates, county party chairs, presiding judges, alternate presiding judges, and heads of specific-purpose political committees may submit written requests to county clerks for explanations of apparent Election Code violations, precinct result irregularities, or documentation inadequacies

County clerks must respond to initial requests within 20 days with explanations and supporting documentation; if the requestor is unsatisfied, they may submit a follow-up request requiring a response within 10 days

Requestors still unsatisfied after two county clerk responses may escalate to the Secretary of State for an audit, which must be conducted at the county's expense if the Secretary finds the county's explanation insufficient within 30 days

County clerks who fail to remedy violations identified in an audit within 30 days face a $500 civil penalty per violation, with additional daily $500 penalties if the Secretary of State cannot remedy the violation on their behalf

The Secretary of State must publish records of county clerks assessed civil penalties on their website, and the Attorney General may bring legal action to recover unpaid penalties; applies only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025