1.2 Million Texas Voters Placed on Suspense List Ahead of 2026 Midterms

More than 1.2 million registered voters in Texas have been placed on the state’s voter “suspense” list ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a designation that could create additional steps for voters at the polls.

The number represents roughly 6% of Texas’ registered voters. State election officials say being placed on the suspense list does not prevent someone from voting, but it generally means the state or county election office needs to confirm the voter’s current address.

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s office, voters are commonly placed on the list after election officials receive a registration card or other election-related mail as undeliverable. Voters who have moved or whose addresses are outdated can remain on the list until their registration information is updated.

The issue affects voters throughout the state, including large numbers in some of Texas’ biggest counties. More than 129,000 voters in Dallas County are listed as suspense, along with roughly 56,000 in both Collin and Denton counties and more than 73,000 in Tarrant County.

Texas voters have until Oct. 5 to update their registration information ahead of the November election. Registration status can be checked through VoteTexas.gov or through a county election office.

Voters who remain on the suspense list can still cast a ballot. If their address has not changed, they generally can confirm their residence at the polling location. Voters who have moved within the same county may also be able to vote using their previous registration information, depending on the county’s election system.

Those who have moved to a different county face additional requirements. During early voting, they may be eligible to cast a limited ballot at their new county’s main election office, allowing them to vote in races shared between their old and new counties.

State officials have emphasized that the suspense list is a routine part of maintaining voter rolls and that the current number is not unusual for a state with approximately 19 million registered voters. However, election officials continue encouraging voters to verify their registration before Election Day to avoid unnecessary complications when casting a ballot.