Texas has removed over 1.1 million names from its voter rolls since the 2020 presidential election as part of a sweeping effort to ensure election integrity.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the milestone on Monday, attributing the removals to Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), a law passed in 2021 designed to strengthen the state's election processes, as Fox News reports.

The removals, which include deceased individuals, noncitizens, and those who have moved out of state, are part of ongoing efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls and prevent illegal voting in Texas.

The implementation of SB 1 mandates that the Texas Secretary of State and county voter registrars conduct monthly checks of the voter rolls against the Department of Public Safety's citizenship database. This process is designed to identify and remove ineligible voters, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the state's elections.

Abbott Emphasizes Election Integrity

In his statement, Abbott stressed the importance of election integrity, stating that it is "essential to our democracy." He highlighted his administration's commitment to protecting the right to vote while cracking down on illegal voting.

"I have signed the strongest election laws in the nation to protect the right to vote and to crack down on illegal voting," Abbott stated. "These reforms have led to the removal of over one million ineligible people from our voter rolls in the last three years."

According to the governor, the efforts to clean up the voter rolls have been successful, with over 463,000 individuals on the "suspense list" being removed. The "suspense list" primarily includes voters whose addresses could not be verified, indicating that they may no longer reside in Texas.

Breakdown of Removed Voters

In addition to those on the suspense list, the purge also targeted other categories of ineligible voters. Over 457,000 deceased individuals were removed from the voter rolls, ensuring that their names could not be used fraudulently in future elections. Additionally, approximately 6,500 noncitizens were identified and purged from the rolls, with nearly 2,000 of these noncitizens alleged to have voted in past elections.

Abbott's statement emphasized the ongoing nature of these efforts. He noted that the Secretary of State and county voter registrars are legally required to continuously review the voter rolls and refer any cases of potential illegal voting to the Attorney General's Office and local authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

Focus on Legal Compliance and Prosecution

The Texas state government has referred cases of ineligible voting to Attorney General Ken Paxton for prosecution. This move is part of a broader strategy to deter illegal voting by holding violators accountable. Abbott reiterated that "illegal voting in Texas will never be tolerated" and assured that the state will continue to actively safeguard Texans' "sacred right to vote."

SB 1, which was signed into law by Abbott in September 2021, was a key piece of legislation that introduced several changes to Texas's election laws. In addition to the voter roll checks, the law also includes provisions for new identification requirements for mail-in ballots and restrictions on early voting hours. Supporters of the law argue that these measures are necessary to prevent voter fraud and ensure the integrity of elections, while critics claim that the law could suppress voter turnout.

Criticism and Support of SB 1

The passage of SB 1 was met with significant controversy, both within Texas and nationally. Critics of the law argue that it could disproportionately affect minority voters and lead to disenfranchisement. They point to the removal of eligible voters due to administrative errors or outdated information as a potential risk of such rigorous voter roll maintenance.

However, supporters of the law, including Abbott, maintain that the measures are necessary to protect the democratic process. They argue that maintaining accurate voter rolls and preventing illegal voting are critical to ensuring that every eligible vote is counted and that elections reflect the true will of the people.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Implications

As Texas continues its efforts to enforce SB 1, the state is likely to face ongoing scrutiny from both supporters and critics of the law. The removal of over 1 million ineligible voters is a significant milestone, but it also raises questions about the balance between election security and voter access.

Looking ahead, the implications of these voter roll purges could be felt in upcoming elections, particularly as debates over election integrity and voting rights continue to play a central role in the political discourse.

Conclusion

Texas has removed over 1.1 million ineligible voters from its rolls since the 2020 presidential election, a Gov. Greg Abbott credits to the 2021 election integrity law, SB 1.

The law mandates ongoing checks of voter rolls and has led to the removal of deceased individuals, noncitizens, and those who have moved out of state.

While supporters argue that these measures are necessary to protect election integrity, critics warn of potential disenfranchisement.

As Texas continues to enforce SB 1, the debate over the balance between election security and voter access is likely to persist.