Texas officials have formally transmitted portions of the state’s voter registration data to the U.S. Department of Justice for review, reinforcing the state’s position that only United States citizens are legally permitted to vote in Texas elections. The move reflects an ongoing effort by state leaders to address concerns over voter roll accuracy and election integrity ahead of future federal and statewide contests.
According to state officials, the referral to the Justice Department follows internal reviews conducted by the Texas Secretary of State’s office, which identified voter registrations that may not meet statutory eligibility requirements. These reviews were conducted using cross-checks with federal and state databases, including citizenship records, as permitted under existing election law.
Texas election administrators emphasized that the action does not represent a purge of voter rolls but rather a request for federal oversight and confirmation. The state maintains that cooperation with federal authorities is appropriate when potential violations of election law involve federal citizenship status and cross-jurisdictional records.
Governor Greg Abbott’s administration has repeatedly stated that election integrity remains a top priority. State officials argue that ensuring accurate voter rolls is a foundational requirement for maintaining public confidence in elections, particularly in a state as large and demographically complex as Texas.
The Texas Secretary of State’s office reported that the data submitted to the Justice Department includes registrations flagged during routine maintenance procedures. These procedures are required under both state law and the federal National Voter Registration Act, which mandates that states make reasonable efforts to maintain accurate and current voter registration lists.
State officials underscored that non-citizens voting in U.S. elections is illegal under federal law and explicitly prohibited under the Texas Constitution. Texas law requires voters to affirm U.S. citizenship at the time of registration, and knowingly submitting false information constitutes a felony offense.
The Justice Department’s involvement places the matter within a broader national debate over voter roll maintenance, election security, and federal-state authority. While Texas has faced criticism from voting-rights advocacy groups in previous election cycles, state leaders argue that routine list maintenance is both lawful and necessary.
Supporters of the state’s actions point to historical cases in which outdated or inaccurate voter rolls resulted in administrative errors, duplicate registrations, or eligibility discrepancies. They argue that transparency and accountability are essential safeguards against both fraud and procedural irregularities.
Texas officials also noted that the state has previously faced resistance when attempting to verify voter eligibility using federal databases. In this instance, the referral to the Justice Department is being framed as a cooperative step rather than an adversarial one, allowing federal authorities to review the findings independently.
Critics have suggested that voter roll reviews could discourage lawful participation. However, Texas election officials counter that lawful voters are not being removed without due process and that flagged records undergo verification before any corrective action is taken. The state maintains that eligible voters retain multiple avenues to confirm or update their registration status.
The issue carries heightened political significance as Texas continues to experience population growth driven by domestic migration and international immigration. State leaders argue that population changes increase the importance of accurate voter registration systems, particularly in counties experiencing rapid demographic shifts.
Election law experts aligned with the state’s position note that citizenship verification is not a partisan concept but a legal requirement rooted in constitutional law. They argue that enforcing existing statutes should not be controversial and that failure to do so risks undermining electoral legitimacy.
From a governance standpoint, Texas officials view the referral as part of a broader effort to restore public trust in elections following years of national disputes over voting procedures. They assert that proactive oversight is preferable to reactive litigation after elections have already occurred.
The Justice Department has not publicly indicated how long its review may take or whether additional steps will be recommended. Texas officials stated they will comply with any lawful guidance provided, while continuing to enforce state election laws as written.
As election preparations continue, Texas leadership has signaled that voter eligibility enforcement will remain a priority. State officials have reiterated that the goal is not to suppress lawful votes but to ensure that every valid ballot cast is protected by a system grounded in legality, transparency, and constitutional order.