In a significant move to enhance election integrity, Texas has removed more than one million ineligible voters from its voter rolls since 2021.

Governor Greg Abbott announced this extensive purge, which includes individuals who have moved out of state, deceased persons, and non-citizens. The ongoing process is part of the state's efforts to maintain accurate voter lists and prevent illegal voting.

According to a report by KCBD, the removal of ineligible voters follows the implementation of Senate Bill 1, signed into law by Governor Abbott in 2021. This legislation and other measures have strengthened Texas's election laws and provided mechanisms for regular review and updating of voter rolls.

Breakdown Of Removed Voters By Category

The voter roll purge in Texas has affected various categories of ineligible voters. Over 457,000 deceased individuals have been removed from the lists, ensuring that their names cannot be used for fraudulent voting purposes. Additionally, more than 463,000 voters on the suspense list have been taken off the rolls, addressing concerns about potentially inactive or unreachable voters.

A significant number of removals were due to voter relocation. Over 134,000 voters who responded to address confirmation notices indicating they had moved were removed. Furthermore, more than 65,000 voters who failed to respond to notices of examination were also taken off the rolls, helping to maintain the accuracy of voter registration data.

The purge also addressed cases of voluntary cancellation and legal ineligibility. More than 19,000 voters who personally requested to cancel their registration were removed. Additionally, over 6,000 voters with felony convictions, who are ineligible to vote under Texas law, were struck from the rolls.

Non-citizen Voters And Legal Consequences

One of the most contentious aspects of the voter roll purge is the removal of non-citizens. Governor Abbott's announcement revealed that over 6,500 non-citizens were identified and removed from the voter rolls. Of these, approximately 1,930 individuals have a voting history, raising concerns about potential illegal voting in past elections.

The Texas Secretary of State's office is taking these cases seriously. All 1,930 records of non-citizens with voting histories are being forwarded to the Attorney General's Office for investigation and potential legal action. This move aligns with recent legislative changes that have increased penalties for illegal voting.

Governor Abbott commented on the situation:

Election integrity is essential to our democracy. I have signed the strongest election laws in the nation to protect the right to vote and to crackdown on illegal voting. These reforms have led to the removal of over one million ineligible people from our voter rolls in the last three years, including noncitizens, deceased voters, and people who moved to another state.

Legislative Measures To Enhance Election Integrity

The voter roll purge is part of a broader legislative effort to strengthen election integrity in Texas. In 2021, Governor Abbott signed several bills into law that have significantly impacted the state's electoral processes. Senate Bill 1, a cornerstone of these efforts, introduced several key provisions aimed at preventing illegal voting and enhancing the security of the electoral system.

One of the notable changes brought about by Senate Bill 1 is the elevation of lying while registering to vote to a state jail felony. This measure is designed to deter individuals from providing false information during the registration process. The bill also criminalized ballot harvesting, a practice that has been a source of controversy in many states.

To ensure ongoing oversight of election processes, Senate Bill 1 requires the Secretary of State to conduct randomized audits of elections every two years. This provision aims to maintain public confidence in the electoral system by regularly checking for irregularities or discrepancies.

Additional Safeguards And Ongoing Efforts

Beyond the immediate impact of removing ineligible voters, Texas has implemented additional safeguards to protect the integrity of future elections.

The distribution of unsolicited mail-in ballot applications and ballots has been banned, addressing concerns about potential abuse of the mail-in voting system. Furthermore, identification requirements for mail-in ballots have been strengthened, adding an extra layer of security to this voting method.

The Secretary of State and county voter registrars have been given an ongoing legal mandate to review voter rolls, remove ineligible voters, and refer potential cases of illegal voting to the Attorney General's Office and local authorities for investigation and prosecution. This continuous process ensures that the voter rolls remain as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

Governor Abbott emphasized the state's commitment to preventing illegal voting, stating:

Illegal voting in Texas will never be tolerated. We will continue to actively safeguard Texans' sacred right to vote while also aggressively protecting our elections from illegal voting.

Why This Story Matters

The story underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in voter registration processes. The fact that a significant number of non-citizens were identified on the rolls raises concerns about the integrity of past elections and the need for robust systems to ensure that only eligible citizens are registered to vote. This issue is likely to fuel further debate about voter ID laws, voter registration procedures, and the balance between ensuring election security and protecting voting rights.

In conclusion, Texas has undertaken a significant effort to clean up its voter rolls, removing over one million ineligible voters since 2021. This purge included deceased individuals, non-citizens, and those who have moved out of state. The process is part of a broader legislative initiative to enhance election integrity, which includes stricter penalties for illegal voting and improved auditing procedures. Texas officials remain committed to maintaining accurate voter lists and preventing fraudulent voting in future elections.