Why 1.2 million Texans are on the voter ‘suspense’ list and how to fix it
New list has Texans questioning voting eligibility
A "suspense list" has some Texas voters wondering if they're still eligible to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. FOX 4's Shaun Rabb has more.
DALLAS - About 1.2 million Texas voters have been placed on the state’s "suspense" list with early voting in the 2026 midterm elections less than two months away.
What we know:
Alicia Pierce, a spokesperson for the Texas Secretary of State’s office, said that number isn’t atypical ahead of an election, especially considering there are about 19 million registered voters in the state.
What they're saying:
"It sounds scary, but it’s not," Pierce said.
If voters remain on that list for two full election cycles, meaning four years, they are removed from the voter rolls, according to Pierce.
Young voters show the "I Voted" stickers after voting at a polling station in Plano, Texas, Nov. 3, 2020. (Dan Tian/Xinhua / Getty Images)
Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams tells FOX 4's Shaun Rabb their office has received many calls since the report about the "suspense" list.
"I think the important thing to know about that suspense status is that it has been required by Texas law for many, many, many years and voters that fall into that category are not necessarily removed from the rolls immediately, and they certainly will not be removed before the November election."
Dallas County voters can head to DallasCountyVotes.org to check their registration status.
How does a Texas voter end up on the ‘suspense’ list
According to Pierce, most of the time a voter is placed on the list because their address is outdated. Most of the time it’s because a voter registration card is returned to a county’s election administrator as undeliverable.
How do I know if my voter registration is suspended?
Texas voters can check the status of their registration at VoteTexas.gov and click on "Am I Registered?"
My voter registration shows ‘suspense.’ What do I do?
Voters have until Oct. 5 to get their registration updated. That can be done online on the Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need your current driver’s license or ID card, Social Security number and the Voter Unique Identifier Number from your Voter Registration Card.
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What happens if I try to vote as a ‘suspense’ voter?
Pierce said "suspense" voters just need to confirm their address is current when they go to the poll if the address hasn’t changed. If they have a new address in the same county, they can usually vote at their old precinct if their county still uses the precinct system.
For voters who have moved from one county to the other, it becomes more complicated at the poll. They will be allowed to vote on a "limited ballot." This means they are allowed to vote in races that are common between the ballot in their new county and the ballot in their old county. However, "limited ballot" voting is only allowed during early voting and must be done at the county's main election office.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect additional requirements for "limited ballot" voting.
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The Source: Information in this story came from an interview with a spokesperson for the Texas Secretary of State’s office and VoteTexas.org.