Trump Order Helps Texas Uncover 33 Illegal Voters in Major Election Bust

Paul Riverbank, 6/18/2025In a significant development for election integrity, Texas officials have identified 33 potential cases of noncitizen voting in the 2024 election, leveraging access to federal immigration data through Trump's executive order. This discovery underscores the delicate balance between voter accessibility and electoral security in our democratic process.

Let me put this in perspective. These cases emerged through a rather unexpected channel - Trump-era executive policy that gave states access to federal immigration records. Texas officials, wielding this new investigative tool, tapped into what's known as the SAVE Database, a federal system typically used for verifying citizenship status for benefits.

Ken Paxton, Texas's notably aggressive Attorney General, wasted no time trumpeting these findings. "Every illegal vote undermines our democracy," he declared Tuesday, though I'd note this represents a minuscule fraction of Texas's massive voter base.

What fascinates me most is how this fits into Texas's broader election narrative. The state's been busy - they've purged over a million voters from their rolls since 2021. Some would call it housekeeping; others might say overzealous pruning. Either way, it's reshaping the state's electoral landscape.

Secretary of State Jane Nelson's take caught my attention. She dubbed the database access a "game changer," pointing out its dual role in flagging both potential illegal votes and confirming legitimate naturalized citizens. It's a nuanced point that often gets lost in the heated rhetoric around voter fraud.

I've seen plenty of election integrity initiatives come and go over the years. This one's different. The marriage of immigration data with voter rolls represents a significant shift in how states can verify voter eligibility. Whether that's progress or overreach likely depends on where you sit politically.

Here's what's particularly striking: while Texas trumpets these 33 cases, they've simultaneously confirmed dozens of proper naturalizations. It's a detail that adds crucial context to the larger picture of voter roll maintenance.

Looking ahead, Texas voters face a choice this November that could cement these efforts into law. They'll vote on a constitutional amendment explicitly barring noncitizen voting in state elections - though some might argue that's solving a problem that existing law already addresses.

The reality? Election integrity measures like these often walk a tightrope between securing the vote and potentially deterring eligible voters. As we head deeper into another contentious election cycle, finding that balance becomes increasingly crucial.

From where I sit, these developments in Texas might well preview similar efforts across other states. The real test will be whether such measures can enhance election integrity without inadvertently disenfranchising legitimate voters. That's a story worth watching closely in the months ahead.

The latest chapter in America's ongoing election integrity saga unfolded this week in Texas, where officials identified 33 possible cases of noncitizen voting in the 2024 election. As someone who's covered election administration for over two decades, I find the timing and scope of this discovery particularly noteworthy.Let me put this in perspective. These cases emerged through a rather unexpected channel - Trump-era executive policy that gave states access to federal immigration records. Texas officials, wielding this new investigative tool, tapped into what's known as the SAVE Database, a federal system typically used for verifying citizenship status for benefits.Ken Paxton, Texas's notably aggressive Attorney General, wasted no time trumpeting these findings. "Every illegal vote undermines our democracy," he declared Tuesday, though I'd note this represents a minuscule fraction of Texas's massive voter base.What fascinates me most is how this fits into Texas's broader election narrative. The state's been busy - they've purged over a million voters from their rolls since 2021. Some would call it housekeeping; others might say overzealous pruning. Either way, it's reshaping the state's electoral landscape.Secretary of State Jane Nelson's take caught my attention. She dubbed the database access a "game changer," pointing out its dual role in flagging both potential illegal votes and confirming legitimate naturalized citizens. It's a nuanced point that often gets lost in the heated rhetoric around voter fraud.I've seen plenty of election integrity initiatives come and go over the years. This one's different. The marriage of immigration data with voter rolls represents a significant shift in how states can verify voter eligibility. Whether that's progress or overreach likely depends on where you sit politically.Here's what's particularly striking: while Texas trumpets these 33 cases, they've simultaneously confirmed dozens of proper naturalizations. It's a detail that adds crucial context to the larger picture of voter roll maintenance.Looking ahead, Texas voters face a choice this November that could cement these efforts into law. They'll vote on a constitutional amendment explicitly barring noncitizen voting in state elections - though some might argue that's solving a problem that existing law already addresses.The reality? Election integrity measures like these often walk a tightrope between securing the vote and potentially deterring eligible voters. As we head deeper into another contentious election cycle, finding that balance becomes increasingly crucial.From where I sit, these developments in Texas might well preview similar efforts across other states. The real test will be whether such measures can enhance election integrity without inadvertently disenfranchising legitimate voters. That's a story worth watching closely in the months ahead.