The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Texas HB 1856 regulates mail ballot return methods and polling place notice requirements
Last action · March 14, 2025: Referred to ElectionsSponsor: Sheryl Cole
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What This Bill Proposed
Texas HB 1856 authorizes county clerks to designate additional secure locations for voters to deliver marked mail-in ballots, requires voters returning ballots in person to present acceptable identification, and mandates that election notices published online and on bulletin boards include early voting and ballot drop-off locations.
Voters returning mail ballots in person must present an accepted form of identification and use specific designated drop-off locations, while counties must expand the information provided in public election notices by September 1, 2025.
- Texas election laws govern the methods by which voters may cast ballots, including regulations on voting by mail and returning carrier envelopes. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
voters who vote by mail
Voters must present an acceptable form of identification when returning a mail ballot in person and are restricted to specific designated drop-off locations.
county clerks
County clerks are given the authority to designate suitable locations for delivering marked mail ballots and must ensure election notices include required polling and drop-off site information.
early voting clerks
Early voting clerks receive in-person mail ballot deliveries and must verify that voters present acceptable identification and return only their own ballots.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I deliver my marked mail-in ballot in person?
Do I need to show identification when dropping off my mail ballot in person?
Can I drop off a family member's mail ballot?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Mar 14, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Elections
- Mar 14, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Jan 15, 2025HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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