Millions of Texas voters have been added to the state's Voter Suspense List, but what does that actually mean?
More than 1.2 million voters, or roughly 6.5% of the state's 18.6 million registered voters as of March 2026, have been added to the Voter Suspense List. As of March, nearly 13,300 of those were from El Paso County, but that number has now jumped to nearly 50,400.
Though fervor has erupted online over a supposed purge of Texas voters, the reality is that the Voter Suspense List is a routine part of Texas' voter registration maintenance process, in place since 1995.
"No voter has been removed from the voter rolls and the suspense list is not a new list," said El Paso County Elections Department Elections Information and Resources Coordinator
Melissa Martin in an email. "This is a routine process required under the Texas Election Code."
Here are a few things to know about the Texas Voter Suspense List.
What is the Texas Voter Suspense List?
The Texas Voter Suspense List is little more than an address-verification tool. Voters are added to the list when state election officials cannot verify that a voter still resides at the address listed on their voter registration.
"In Texas," Martin noted, "a voter is placed in suspense status when election mail sent to the voter is returned to our office as undeliverable."
How do I know if I'm on the Voter Suspense List?
El Paso County voters can check their voter registration status online by visiting "My Dashboard" on the Elections Department website at epcountyvotestx.gov.
How do I get removed from the Voter Suspense List?
If a voter's registration status directs them to contact their local elections office, that could mean they are in suspense status.
For voters in El Paso County, updating voter registration information is a fairly simple process. Voter registration information can be updated online at votetexas.gov, or by mail and in person at the El Paso County Elections Department, 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 314, El Paso, Texas, 79901.
Can I still vote if I'm on the Voter Suspense List?
A voter added to the Voter Suspense List is still allowed to cast a regular ballot on Election Day. Voters in suspense status will be asked to fill out a Statement of Residence confirming their voter registration address before casting a ballot.
When is the last day to register to vote?
The last day to register to vote or update voter registration information for the Nov. 3 General Election is Monday, Oct. 5.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas Voter Suspense List surges in El Paso County to 50,400
