Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping investigation into more than 100 individuals suspected of being noncitizens who allegedly cast over 200 ballots in the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. The announcement, made Thursday, underscores Paxton's renewed push to enforce Texas election laws and signals his office’s intent to crack down on what he calls unlawful voting by foreign nationals.
“Illegal aliens and foreign nationals must not be allowed to influence Texas elections by casting illegal ballots with impunity. I will not allow it to continue,” said Paxton in a statement. “Thanks to President Trump’s decisive action to help states safeguard the ballot box, this investigation will help Texas hold noncitizens accountable for unlawfully voting in American elections.”
The bulk of the alleged illegal ballots were cast in Harris County—Texas's largest and one of its most politically contested regions. However, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is also actively reviewing potential cases in Guadalupe, Cameron, and Eastland counties. The investigations are being conducted using data supplied by the Texas Secretary of State, who flagged irregularities in voter registration and participation records.
Expanded Powers Under Federal Executive Order
The latest investigation builds upon a separate probe initiated by Paxton in June 2025, involving 33 individuals suspected of voting illegally in the 2024 General Election. That investigation stemmed from a referral by the Texas Secretary of State, which relied on data from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program—a federal immigration database administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
President Donald Trump, during his second term, signed an executive order mandating the Department of Homeland Security to make SAVE data more accessible to state election officials. Texas has since used the data as part of its broader strategy to verify the citizenship status of registered voters.
“If you’re a noncitizen who illegally cast a ballot, you will face the full force of the law,” Paxton emphasized, reiterating his commitment to strict enforcement of voter eligibility laws.
Context and Controversy
Texas law prohibits noncitizens from voting in state or federal elections. However, confirming the legal status of voters can be complex, and critics have raised concerns in the past about mistaken identity, database inaccuracies, and the potential for disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.
Voting rights advocates warn that such investigations, while important for maintaining election integrity, must be conducted with precision to avoid punishing lawful voters or creating a chilling effect on voter participation.
“Election integrity must never come at the expense of citizens’ rights,” said Nina Ortiz, policy director for the Texas Voter Protection Project. “We hope the Attorney General’s office will thoroughly vet these cases and ensure that any actions taken are based on solid, verifiable evidence.”
The Attorney General’s office has not yet announced any charges but says investigations are ongoing and that more information will be released as cases develop.
Looking Ahead
This probe marks one of the most expansive state-level investigations into alleged noncitizen voting in recent years and is likely to intensify debate over voter ID laws, database sharing, and the balance between security and access in American elections.
Paxton’s office has indicated that it will be working closely with county officials, the Secretary of State’s office, and federal partners to determine the validity of each suspected case. Depending on the outcomes, individuals found guilty could face criminal charges, including third-degree felony charges for illegal voting under Texas law.
