Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into more than 100 potential noncitizens who allegedly cast ballots in the 2020 and 2022 elections. The probe, made possible by a Trump executive order providing access to the SAVE database, centers on Harris County and other regions where similar allegations have been made. Paxton underscored the importance of holding individuals who vote illegally accountable, emphasizing that ‘illegal aliens and foreign nationals must not be allowed to influence Texas elections.’
Paxton is not the only state official focusing on issues of voter fraud. In June, the state’s attorney general opened an investigation into an additional 33 potential noncitizens who allegedly voted in the 2024 general election. These efforts align with the state’s broader strategy to safeguard the integrity of elections and ensure only U.S. citizens have the right to vote. The investigation has drawn support from Rep. Troy E. Nehls, R-Texas, who praised the initiative and called for continued efforts to protect election integrity.
These actions come amid a larger narrative of state-level efforts to combat voter fraud, with some critics arguing that the focus on noncitizen voting is part of a broader strategy to suppress certain voter demographics. Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to remove 1.1 million voters from state rolls in 2024 highlights the ongoing emphasis on electoral integrity at the state level. While some view these measures as necessary to protect the democratic process, others see them as disproportionately affecting minority communities, raising questions about their overall impact on voter participation and representation.