Fact Check: Is Texas suspending 1.2 million electorate from voting in upcoming elections?

DALLAS, TEXAS: Social media users are raising concerns over the inclusion of more than 1.2 million voters on Texas’ “suspense list,” with some claiming the move could prevent them from voting in the upcoming November midterm elections. 

The claim has sparked questions about what the list means and whether those voters will be able to cast their ballots.

Claim: Texas suspended 1.2 million voter registrations

Several X users have claimed that Texas suspended more than 1 million voter registrations ahead of the 2026 Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.

One social media user claimed that the voter registrations were suspended while Talarico was leading in statewide polling, writing, “BREAKING: Texas has suspended over one million voters ahead of the Senate race. This comes as James Talarico leads in statewide polling.”

Another post raised concerns about voters allegedly not being informed about the change. The user wrote, “Texas suspending 1.2 million voter registrations without notifying people should have everyone paying attention to what they’re planning for November.”

A third post also questioned the move and accused Republicans of trying to prevent people from voting. The user wrote, “This should alarm every single American citizen. Texas is suspending 1.2 million voter registrations without notifying people. What party does everything in their power to prevent you from voting, which is our right & obligation as a citizen? That would [be] the corrupt Republicans! 🤬”

The claim was also shared alongside a poster repeating the allegation that Texas was suspending 1.2 million voter registrations without notifying those affected. The poster urged people to pay attention to what officials were planning for the November midterm election.

An article cited in the discussion also reported that more than 1.2 million Texas voters, or roughly 6% of the state’s more than 18 million registered voters, were listed as having suspended registrations ahead of the November midterms. It stated that many of those voters may not know about their status.

Fact Check: The claim is false

The claim is false. More than 1.2 million people, or about 6.6% of Texas’ more than 18 million registered voters, appeared on the state’s “suspense list” as of March 2026. The Texas Secretary of State’s Office uses this list when officials need to confirm a voter’s residential address. Being on the list does not stop someone from voting.

Election experts say Texas uses the suspense list as part of its regular voter-roll maintenance process. Mark Lindeman, policy and strategy director at the nonpartisan election technology group Verified Voting, described the process as routine.

He said, “This is a routine and ongoing effort to keep voter registration rolls up to date.” He also encouraged voters to check their registration status regularly, noting that states across the country use similar processes to track address changes.

Texas election officials add voters to the suspense list when they cannot confirm that the person still lives at the address on their voter record. This can happen when election officials receive a registration certificate, jury summons, or other mailing back as undeliverable. 

Officials may also add a voter to the list when other information suggests the person has moved. When officials place a voter on the suspense list, they send a notice asking the voter to confirm their address. Texas also issues voter registration certificates as proof of registration.

The state automatically sends a new certificate every two years to voters who have not changed their address. The number of voters on the suspense list changes over time. Voters leave the list after confirming their addresses, while officials may add others when they need to verify their information.

The number also remains consistent with previous election cycles. Texas had 1,239,812 voters on the suspense list before the 2022 midterm elections and 2,116,669 before the 2024 election.