Texas's 4th Congressional District
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the district view: events tagged to this congressional district, then events that apply across Texas, then national events. An event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district. See all of Texas.
In Texas's 4th Congressional District
No events have been tagged to Texas's 4th Congressional District yet. District events are added over time. The state and national events below also apply here.
Across Texas
2026
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State tells counties to reinstate some voters flagged as possible noncitizens
The Texas Tribune and Votebeat reported that on July 29, 2026 the Secretary of State's elections director told county officials to reinstate some voters incorrectly flagged as potential noncitizens through the federal SAVE program, after the state compared DPS records for some of the 2,724 registered voters flagged. The report says the state could not yet say how many registrations had been canceled. A Secretary of State press release of September 15, 2026 states that the review found 578 of the 2,724 voters demonstrated citizenship, 506 of them because passport information was added to SAVE after the first run, and that the office "advised counties to reinstate these registrations if they were removed."
- Texas Secretary of State news release, September 15, 2026: Provides additional updates on voter registration list review ↗
- Texas finds some registered voters wrongly flagged as noncitizens ↗ News report, The Texas Tribune
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2025
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Voters approve Proposition 16, adding a U.S. citizenship requirement to the Texas Constitution's voter qualifications
The Legislature's record shows Senate Joint Resolution 37 (2025), "proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen," filed with the Secretary of State on May 15, 2025. Fox 26 Houston reported that Texas voters approved it as Proposition 16 on November 4, 2025, adding noncitizens to the list of people prohibited from voting in state elections.
- Texas Legislature Online: 89(R) SJR 37, bill history ↗
- Texas Proposition 16 results: Voters approve amendment which prohibits noncitizens from voting ↗ News report, FOX 26 Houston
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Senate Bill 16 on proof of citizenship to register passes the Senate but is not recorded as passing the House
The Legislature's record for 89th Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 16, requiring a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote, with a limited federal ballot for those who cannot, shows Senate passage on April 1, 2025. The bill's last recorded action is a House committee report sent to Calendars on May 25, 2025; the record shows no House passage.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2023
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Governor signs SB 1933 on state oversight of county elections
The Legislature's record for 88th Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 1933, "relating to certain oversight procedures of the state over county elections," shows it was sent to the Governor on May 29, 2023 and signed on June 18, 2023.
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2021
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Governor signs Senate Bill 1, the Election Integrity Protection Act
The Legislature's record for 87th Legislature, Second Called Session, Senate Bill 1, "relating to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; increasing criminal penalties; creating criminal offenses," shows Senate passage on August 12, 2021, final House passage on August 27, 2021, and signature by the Governor on September 7, 2021.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Texas House announces a quorum present on the third day of the second called session of 2021
The Texas House Journal for August 23, 2021, the third day of the 87th Legislature's second called session, records that "a quorum was announced present." On a verification of the roll requested by Representative Zwiener, "the verified roll resulted, as follows (Record 6): 100 present, 48 absent."
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Texas House lacks a quorum during the July 2021 special session on election bills
The Texas House Journal for July 13, 2021, in the 87th Legislature's first called session, records that requests for leaves of absence "were not granted, a quorum not being present by (Record 3): 80 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting," lists the absent members by name, records that a point of order that "a quorum was not present on the last roll call" was sustained, and records that a call of the house was ordered, on a motion by Representative Metcalf, to consider items in the Governor's proclamation. The House Journal for August 7, 2021, the first day of the second called session, again records that "a quorum was not present."
- Texas House Journal, 87th Legislature, First Called Session, July 13, 2021 ↗
- Texas House Journal, 87th Legislature, Second Called Session, First Day, August 7, 2021 ↗
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2017
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Governor signs Senate Bill 5, revising the voter identification requirement
The Legislature's record for 85th Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 5, "relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification; providing a criminal penalty and increasing a criminal penalty," shows it was sent to the Governor on May 30, 2017 and signed on June 1, 2017.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2012
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Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Texas's photo ID law
In a letter of March 12, 2012, the Justice Department addressed Senate Bill 14 (2011). It states that, with regard to Sections 9 and 14, concerning photo ID requirements for in-person voting and acceptable forms of ID, "I cannot conclude that the state has sustained its burden under Section 5," and that on behalf of the Attorney General it objects. The letter reports that "a Hispanic voter is 46.5 percent more likely than a non-Hispanic voter to lack these forms of identification."
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Texas (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Texas (S.B. 14), March 12, 2012 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2011
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Governor signs Senate Bill 14, requiring photo identification to vote in person
The Texas Legislature's record for 82nd Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 14, "relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties," shows it passed the Senate on January 26, 2011, was sent to the Governor on May 18, 2011 and was signed by the Governor on May 27, 2011.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1996
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Justice Department objects under Section 5 to citizenship-file voter eligibility determinations
In a letter of January 16, 1996, the Justice Department addressed Chapter 797 (1995), part of Texas's implementation of the National Voter Registration Act. The Department did not object to several provisions but stated that, on behalf of the Attorney General, it must object to Chapter 797 "insofar as it authorizes agency employees to make determinations of an individual's eligibility to register based on citizenship information contained in the agency's file."
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Texas (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Texas, January 16, 1996 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections
The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026
On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections
On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (proposed rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 32915 (GovInfo) ↗
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (final rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (GovInfo) ↗
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots
Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213
On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2025
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Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks
On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections
Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2022
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Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law
Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51
On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2021
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Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51
On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails
On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls
On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.
- H.R. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- S. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 246 (June 22, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2019
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House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
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President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Nov 1, 2026
2009
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Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law
Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2006
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Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006
Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2002
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Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law
Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1993
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National Voter Registration Act of 1993 becomes law
Public Law 103-31, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, is dated May 20, 1993. The law states its purpose as "to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1986
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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law
Public Law 99-410, dated August 28, 1986, may be cited as the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Its subject is voting in federal elections by members of the uniformed services and by citizens living overseas.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1982
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law
Public Law 97-205, dated June 29, 1982, rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to bar any practice "imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color." It also provided that a section 4 provision expires "at the end of the twenty-five-year period following the effective date" of the 1982 amendments.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1975
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Voting Rights Act extended in 1975, with language-minority protections
Public Law 94-73, dated August 6, 1975, is titled "To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend certain provisions for an additional seven years, to make permanent the ban against certain prerequisites to voting, and for other purposes." It also provides that no voting qualification may be imposed "to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote because he is a member of a language minority group."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1971
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26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18
The National Archives lists the 26th Amendment as passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1970
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law
Public Law 91-285, dated June 22, 1970, is titled "To extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the discriminatory use of tests, and for other purposes." It may be cited as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1965
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Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The National Archives says the act outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.