Texas Attorney General investigates 33 potential noncitizens who allegedly voted in the 2024 general election.

Paxton Launches Probe Into Alleged Illegal Voting

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into 33 individuals suspected of voting illegally in the 2024 general election. The probe was announced on Tuesday after Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson identified the potential noncitizen voters using federal immigration data made accessible through a recent executive order by President Donald Trump.

President Trump’s executive order, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” mandated the Departments of State and Homeland Security to allow states access to key systems for verifying the citizenship or immigration status of registered voters. The order specifically required U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to provide state election officials with details on foreign nationals who indicated on immigration forms that they had registered or voted in any U.S. election.

As a result, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s SAVE database was opened to the states at no cost, enabling Texas officials to identify suspected illegal voting. Paxton credited this access for the ongoing investigation, stating, “These potential instances of unlawful voting will be thoroughly investigated, and I will continue to stand with President Trump in fighting to ensure that our state’s elections are safe and secure.”

Efforts to Safeguard Election Integrity

Texas has ramped up efforts to protect the integrity of its elections in recent years. In August 2024, Governor Greg Abbott announced the removal of 1.1 million people from the state’s voter rolls, including individuals who had moved, died, or were identified as noncitizens. According to the governor’s office, over 6,500 of those removed were potential noncitizens, with approximately 1,930 of them having a history of voting. Although later reports questioned the accuracy of the figures, state officials maintain that the process is ongoing and necessary.

Paxton, who is currently running a Senate primary challenge against Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, emphasized the importance of ensuring that only eligible citizens determine the outcome of elections. “In order to be able to trust the integrity of our elections, the results must be determined by our own citizens—not foreign nationals breaking the law to illegally vote,” he stated. Paxton vowed to use all available resources to investigate and address any incidents of voter fraud.

Trump’s executive order declared that “free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic” and stressed that American citizens’ right to have their votes counted without illegal dilution is vital to election legitimacy.

The investigation is ongoing, and Texas officials have pledged to continue monitoring the voter rolls and using federal resources to ensure compliance with state and federal election laws. Paxton reaffirmed his commitment to election security, stating, “Noncitizens must not be allowed to influence American elections, and I will use the full weight of my office to investigate all voter fraud.”

As Texas and other states continue to grapple with concerns over voter eligibility and election security, the outcome of this probe may influence future safeguards and legislative measures aimed at protecting the democratic process.