Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a significant update on the state’s voter rolls, revealing that over one million ineligible names have been purged since the enactment of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) in 2021. This bill, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the integrity of elections in Texas, has led to the removal of individuals who no longer qualify to vote in the state. These names include those of non-citizens, deceased individuals, people who have moved out of Texas, and others who do not meet the state’s voter eligibility criteria.
Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of this ongoing process in maintaining the sanctity of Texas elections. “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,” Abbott stated. The governor’s office confirmed that the removal process is far from over, as efforts continue to ensure that only eligible voters remain on the rolls.
Impact of Senate Bill 1 on Voter Roll Maintenance
The implementation of SB 1 has led to a thorough review of Texas voter rolls, resulting in the removal of specific groups of ineligible voters. According to the Governor’s office, more than 6,500 non-citizens have been identified and removed, with 1,930 of these individuals previously having a record of voting. The names of these non-citizens are now being forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for further investigation and potential legal action.
In addition to non-citizens, the purge included over 457,000 names of deceased individuals, 134,000 people who confirmed they no longer lived in Texas, and more than 6,000 individuals with felony convictions. Furthermore, 463,000 voters who were on the “suspense list,” a designation used for voters whose registration status is uncertain, were also removed from the voter rolls. This comprehensive update underscores the state’s commitment to securing its elections and preventing any potential voter fraud.
Texas Voter Roll Scrutiny Intensifies Amid Concerns Over Undeliverable Mail
The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has reported that over 65,000 voters have been placed on a “situation list,” a status often triggered when counties are unsure of a resident’s address or suspect they have moved. This list is typically generated when important mail, such as voter registration cards or jury summons, is returned as undeliverable. In addition to the 65,000 voters who failed to respond to notices of examination, another 19,000 individuals requested to cancel their voter registration, further complicating the state’s efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls.
Governor Greg Abbott has underscored the ongoing legal obligation of the Secretary of State and county voter registrars to continuously review voter rolls. The goal is to remove ineligible voters and ensure any suspected illegal voting cases are referred to the Attorney General’s Office and local authorities for further investigation. This rigorous scrutiny comes as part of Texas’ broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of its electoral process.
Abbott Rejects Trump’s VP Offer, Stresses Focus on Border Crisis
In a decisive move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declined the opportunity to serve as former President Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election. Abbott, who was considered a strong contender for the vice-presidential spot, cited his commitment to addressing the ongoing border crisis as his primary reason for staying in Texas. He expressed that he could best assist Trump by continuing his role as governor, where he could directly combat what he describes as an “invasion” of “known and unknown terrorists” crossing the southern border daily.
Abbott’s decision to reject the VP slot comes as the governor remains focused on state issues, particularly the unprecedented surge of migrants entering Texas. He has defended his use of the term “invasion” to describe the situation at the border, arguing that the current influx poses an imminent danger to the United States. Abbott’s stance highlights his prioritization of state leadership over national politics, even as the Republican Party gears up for the 2024 election.
