Texas Turns Over Voter Roll to Trump Administration

Texas has provided the U.S. Justice Department with its complete list of registered voters, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. The move comes as part of a broader request from the Trump administration, which has asked all 50 states to share voter roll data as part of its stated effort to enforce federal election laws.

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A spokesperson for Secretary of State Jane Nelson confirmed that Texas sent its voter roll to the Justice Department on December 23rd. The data includes information on roughly 18.4 million registered Texas voters, along with identifying details such as dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

State officials say the data was provided in compliance with federal law and with the understanding that Texas retains its authority and responsibilities under existing election statutes.

Why the Justice Department Is Requesting the Data

The Justice Department began requesting voter rolls from all states last fall, saying the effort is central to ensuring states are properly maintaining voter registration lists. Federal election law requires states to regularly review and update voter rolls to remove ineligible voters, such as those who have moved or died.

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According to the department, access to statewide voter data allows federal officials to identify potential “list maintenance issues” and notify states so they can address them. The Justice Department has argued that states declining to share this information are interfering with federal oversight.

So far, 13 states--including Texas--have voluntarily agreed to turn over their voter rolls. The Justice Department has sued 23 other states and Washington, D.C., for refusing to do so.

Legal and Privacy Questions Raised

The decision has drawn scrutiny from election experts, voting rights groups, and national political organizations. Critics have raised concerns about voter privacy and whether sharing such sensitive data complies with federal and state laws.

The Democratic National Committee sent a letter to Secretary Nelson warning the data transfer could violate the National Voter Registration Act. The DNC argues that federal law places strict limits on when and how voters can be removed from registration lists, including a prohibition on large-scale removals within 90 days of an election.

Texas has multiple elections scheduled in 2026, including a March primary, a May runoff, and a November general election. Federal law restricts systemic voter removals during key periods leading up to those elections.

Texas’ Position Going Forward

In correspondence with the Justice Department, Texas officials said the state agreed to share the voter roll but emphasized that doing so does not alter Texas’ obligations under federal election law. The state has not yet released the final memorandum of understanding outlining how the data will be used.

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As questions continue about how the Justice Department may analyze the data and what actions could follow, election administration in Texas--including here in Lubbock and across West Texas--remains governed by existing state and federal safeguards.

For now, officials say the transfer reflects compliance with a federal request, while legal and policy debates around voter data, privacy, and oversight continue to play out nationwide.