Texas House passes bill allowing election judges to conceal carry firearms at polling places

A deeply divisive proposal cleared the Texas House this week as lawmakers passed House Bill 1128, a measure sponsored by Rep. Carrie Isaac (R-Dripping Springs) that would allow certain election officials to carry concealed handguns while performing their official duties at polling locations.

The bill, which passed with a vote of 89 to 53, permits licensed election judges, early voting clerks, and deputy clerks serving in a judge’s role to carry concealed firearms during elections, provided they meet existing licensing requirements.

Isaac defended the bill as a matter of both clarifying state law and enhancing safety, pointing to a 2018 Texas Attorney General opinion that interpreted state law to already permit such activity under limited circumstances. “This simply codifies a policy already recognized in Texas,” Isaac said on the House floor. “It ensures those who are tasked with keeping order at polling places have the right to defend themselves if necessary.”

Supporters Say It's About Safety

Supporters of the bill framed it as a "common sense" public safety measure, arguing that election officials — particularly in rural or understaffed locations — may be vulnerable to threats or violence without immediate access to law enforcement.

Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) described the bill as a “narrow” and “common sense exemption” for those on the front lines of democracy. “These people are serving our elections. They’re not trained law enforcement, but they’re often left completely unprotected,” Cain said.

Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the measure does not create new authority but reinforces current law under specific conditions. “This bill is about clarity,” Patterson argued. “It’s not about race or politics — it’s about rights and responsibility.”

Critics Warn of Voter Intimidation and Escalation

Opponents, largely from the Democratic side, warned of unintended consequences, including the potential for voter intimidation and increased tensions at polling sites.

Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) expressed concerns that even concealed firearms could affect how voters feel at the ballot box. “Even if voters don’t see the weapon, the knowledge that election officials might be armed could have a chilling effect, especially in historically marginalized communities,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin also cited a 2022 incident in Beaumont, where a white poll worker was accused of aggressively questioning Black voters. “We’ve already seen troubling behavior at polling places. Now we’re talking about introducing firearms into that environment,” she warned.

Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio) raised questions about escalation and oversight, asking whether any sort of response team would be available in cases where an armed poll worker oversteps. “You can’t just have someone drawing a weapon in a tense moment without backup or training — that could make things worse,” she said.

Isaac responded that while law enforcement would be called in any serious incident, “unfortunately, it takes time for them to arrive, and that’s why we need someone on site with protection now.”

What the Law Would Do

According to the bill analysis and guidance from the Texas Secretary of State, current law already allows licensed presiding election judges to carry concealed weapons under specific conditions, including location type and whether the polling place is on certain prohibited premises (such as schools).

HB 1128 would expand that interpretation into statute, allowing not only presiding judges but also some early voting officials to carry weapons, creating a broader — but still restricted — scope of permission.

Critics argued the expansion blurs important lines. “We’re taking a practice allowed in rare circumstances and opening it up far more widely without clear guardrails,” said Goodwin.

What Comes Next

With House approval secured, the bill now heads to the Texas Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee for further review. If passed there and signed by the governor, it would go into effect in time for the 2026 election cycle.

The debate reflects broader national tensions around election security, public safety, and Second Amendment rights — issues likely to remain front and center as the country moves toward another presidential election year.