Governor Abbott Vetoes House Bill 2775 (84R)

June 20, 2015 | Austin, Texas

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 2775 as passed by the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:

The Election Code requires those seeking a place on the ballot for certain races to submit to the Secretary of State a petition containing signatures of registered voters who support the candidacy. House Bill 2115 would allow candidates who submit deficient petitions to update their petitions in a piecemeal fashion, rather than requiring the submission of a single, legally compliant petition. This could increase the risk of erroneous or fraudulent petitions. To the extent there are concerns about the Secretary of State's current policies on candidate petitions, the Legislature should work with the Secretary of State's office to address this issue in the next session.

Since the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.

 

GREG ABBOTT
Governor

View a PDF of the veto here