Vote harvesting; creating a civil penalty

Texas Senate Bill 2950 (SB2950) aims to impose civil penalties on individuals involved in "vote harvesting," a practice where third parties collect and submit absentee ballots on behalf of voters. The bill introduces a new section to the Election Code, Section 276.0151, which allows candidates harmed by unlawful vote harvesting to seek damages and penalties. These damages include compensation for any payments made for vote harvesting services, the fair market value of any benefits exchanged, a penalty of $25,000 per affected vote, and reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Additionally, if the number of voters contacted by the unlawful vote harvesting exceeds the number of votes by which the candidate lost the election, the candidate may recover punitive damages covering campaign expenditures, ballot access fees, and potential salary losses. The bill was introduced by Senator Kevin Sparks on March 14, 2025, and referred to the State Affairs Committee on April 7, 2025. As of September 12, 2026, the bill has not progressed further in the legislative process. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB2950/id/3175641?utm_source=openai))

The bill's introduction aligns with ongoing efforts to address election integrity in Texas. In May 2025, court documents revealed charges against six individuals in Frio County for alleged vote harvesting activities, including paying a campaign worker to instruct elderly residents on voting and assist with their ballots. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/08/texas-vote-harvesting-case-court-documents/?utm_source=openai)) This case underscores the state's commitment to combating unlawful election practices. However, as of now, there is no specific media coverage directly discussing SB2950.

While the bill aims to deter vote harvesting, it has not been enacted into law, and there is no specific media coverage discussing its potential impact or reception. Therefore, it's challenging to assess public opinion or reactions to the bill at this time.