Safeguarding Texas Elections: Why SB 11 and HJR 1 Matter

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The Texas Legislature is advancing two powerful measures—Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) and House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR 1)—that aim to restore public trust in elections by ensuring stronger oversight, consistent enforcement, and accountability across the state.

At the heart of both proposals is a critical reform: restoring and protecting the Texas Attorney General’s ability to prosecute cases of election fraud, especially when local prosecutors fail to act.

SB 11 addresses a key legal gap left open by a 2021 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling, which limited the Attorney General’s ability to independently prosecute election fraud. Under the bill:

• Law enforcement must submit probable cause reports to both the local district attorney and the Attorney General at the same time.
• If a local prosecutor fails to pursue the case within 180 days, the Attorney General is required to step in.
• Investigative materials must be shared with the AG upon request, ensuring swift and informed prosecution.

This change ensures that no credible allegations of voter fraud go uninvestigated or unprosecuted simply due to inaction at the local level.

HJR 1 goes a step further by proposing a constitutional amendment to give the Attorney General explicit authority to prosecute violations of election law. If passed by the Legislature and approved by Texas voters, this amendment would:

• Guarantee concurrent prosecutorial jurisdiction for the Attorney General in state election-law violations.
• Prevent future legal challenges to the AG’s authority to uphold election laws.
• Promote uniform enforcement across all counties, ensuring all Texans are treated equally under the law.

Together, SB 11 and HJR 1 are essential tools to:

• Hold bad actors accountable even when local politics may interfere with justice.
• Deter future misconduct by showing that the state takes election integrity seriously.
• Protect voter confidence by ensuring every legal vote is counted—and counted fairly.

SB 11 is moving through the legislative process, and HJR 1 could be headed to voters as soon as this November. These reforms are designed not to change how Texans vote—but to ensure that how they vote is protected, respected, and enforced.

Protect the process. Support SB 11 and HJR 1.