Texas Hands Over Voter Rolls as DOJ Seeks Information to “Purge” Ineligible Voters, Democrats Warn of Federal Law Violations
Texas’ top elections officials quietly sent the U.S. Department of Justice a complete copy of the state’s voter registration list last month, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and voting rights advocates who argue the request represents federal overreach into state-run elections.
According to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office, the voter roll was sent to the DOJ on Dec. 23. Spokesperson Alicia Pierce confirmed the records include voters’ dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers—information for roughly 18.4 million registered Texas voters.
The disclosure follows a broader push by the Justice Department, which began requesting voter rolls from all 50 states last year.
While some states, including Texas, voluntarily complied, others declined, arguing that voter registration is a state responsibility and that federal and state laws limit how voter data can be shared. The DOJ has since sued more than 20 states and Washington, D.C., over their refusal to provide the information.
Texas is among seven states that have turned over their complete voter rolls, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, which has been tracking the nationwide effort. Federal officials have said access to statewide voter data is essential for oversight, while critics warn it could lead to improper voter purges or the creation of a national voter database.
Democrats, including the Democratic National Committee, have raised concerns that the data transfer could violate federal election law and expose voters to privacy risks. Party leaders have requested records related to the agreement and warned that further legal action is possible.
Votebeat and The Texas Tribune first reported Friday that Texas had handed over the voter registration data, placing the state at the center of a growing national dispute over election oversight, voter privacy, and the balance of power between states and the federal government.
