Texas Submits Voter Rolls to DOJ for Review Amid Election Integrity Debate
In a move aimed at bolstering election security, Texas officials have provided the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with a comprehensive list of the state’s approximately 18 million registered voters. This action, confirmed by Governor Greg Abbott, is part of a federal effort to identify and remove ineligible registrations, such as those belonging to non-citizens. However, the decision has sparked significant controversy, with Democrats warning that it could violate federal election laws and lead to wrongful voter purges.
Background on the DOJ’s Voter Roll Initiative
The initiative stems from the Trump administration’s renewed focus on election integrity following the 2024 election. Starting in late 2025, the DOJ began requesting voter registration data from states, offering confidential agreements to share information and flag potential ineligible voters using federal databases. This includes access to tools like the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, originally designed for benefits eligibility but now adapted for voter verification.
Texas was among the states approached by the DOJ as early as July 2025, with requests for not only voter rolls but also details on election officials and processes. The state has a history of proactive voter roll maintenance; in August 2024, Governor Abbott announced the removal of over 1 million ineligible voters, including non-citizens, deceased individuals, and those who had moved out of state. Proponents argue that sharing data with the DOJ enhances these efforts by leveraging federal resources to cross-check citizenship status more accurately.
Texas’s Compliance and Announcement
On January 9, 2026, Texas Secretary of State’s office spokeswoman Alicia Pierce confirmed that the state had handed over its full voter registration list to the DOJ last month. Governor Abbott emphasized the goal of ensuring only eligible citizens participate in elections, stating that the collaboration would help identify any remaining ineligible registrations. Texas joins at least nine other states in complying with similar DOJ requests, as tracked by organizations monitoring election policies.
The data shared includes sensitive information such as names, addresses, and voting histories, raising privacy concerns among voters and advocacy groups. While voter rolls are public records in many contexts, the transfer to federal authorities for targeted scrutiny has amplified fears of misuse.
Criticisms and Legal Concerns
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) swiftly responded, cautioning that states entering into these data-sharing agreements, including Texas, may be violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and other federal laws. The NVRA requires states to maintain accurate voter rolls but prohibits purges within 90 days of an election and mandates safeguards against erroneous removals. Critics argue that the DOJ’s approach could expose voters to unjust challenges, particularly in minority communities where registration errors are more common.
Additionally, reports have highlighted flaws in the SAVE tool. For instance, in December 2025, Texas flagged 2,724 voters as potential non-citizens without first checking state records, leading to investigations that confirmed many were legitimate citizens. National stories detailed cases where naturalized U.S. citizens were mistakenly flagged due to outdated or incomplete data in the system. Voting rights advocates have been tracking these requests and warn of potential voter suppression.
Social media and public discourse have amplified these concerns, with some Texas residents expressing alarm over government surveillance of their voting information. One petition called for transparency, questioning the motives behind the data transfer.
Implications for Future Elections
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, this development could influence voter turnout and trust in the electoral process. Supporters, primarily from Republican circles, view it as a necessary step to combat perceived fraud, aligning with ongoing state efforts to tighten voting laws. Opponents fear it sets a precedent for federal overreach, potentially discouraging participation among legal voters who worry about being targeted.
Texas officials maintain that the partnership is voluntary and aimed solely at accuracy, with no immediate plans for mass removals based on DOJ findings. The DOJ has not publicly detailed how the data will be used or what timelines exist for reviews, leaving room for ongoing debate.