SB 1863 – Expands county election audit program

SB 1863 strengthens election integrity by requiring more robust and routine audits of local elections in Texas. It expands the number of counties subject to review each year and ensures that city, school, and other local elections within those counties are also included. By scrutinizing voter registration, ballot custody, and equipment testing, the bill aims to prevent fraud and uncover administrative failures before they escalate. The bill promotes accountability by requiring cooperation from local officials and denying state reimbursements to those who stonewall. The bill avoids creating a new agency or layer of bureaucracy—leveraging the existing Secretary of State’s office instead. Overall, this measure is a sound step toward limited, effective government oversight that safeguards taxpayer trust in election processes