Election administrators in Texas report that the massive backlog of more than half‑a‑million voter‑registration records, which lingered for over a year after a software update error at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), has been cleared. The effort, driven by county officials working long hours and weekends, means that all registrations submitted before the Oct. 5 deadline will be counted in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.
State error and swift county response
In October 2025, a software update to the DPS online driver’s‑license portal inadvertently halted the processing of voter‑registration applications. The Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed the glitch, estimating that roughly 500,000 records were affected.
Within a month of the discovery, the Texas Secretary of State’s Office and the Texas Association of County Election Officials announced that no county remained stuck in the backlog. Kristin Miles, president of the association and Bastrop County election administrator, praised the dedication of county staff, saying, “If that means long nights and working weekends, county election officials are not going to fail the voters of Texas.”
Grant assistance and overtime support
The Secretary of State’s Office has offered grants to counties to cover overtime and temporary‑worker costs incurred during the cleanup. Alicia Pierce, the office’s spokesperson, confirmed that the grants remain available and that the state is continuing to reimburse counties for related expenses.
Well‑resourced counties such as Dallas, Harris, and Collin were able to resolve their portions of the backlog within a week, thanks to outside vendors and additional technology. Other jurisdictions faced extra challenges due to issues with the Secretary of State’s voter‑registration system, known as TEAM, but ultimately reported that the backlog was cleared.
Continuing registration efforts
While the DPS‑related backlog is resolved, county officials continue to process new registrations arriving by mail and in person. Registrations postmarked or submitted through the DPS portal before the Oct. 5 deadline will be considered valid for the Nov. 3 election, even if they are processed after the deadline.
Pierce added that voters who registered through the DPS portal but do not appear on the voter roll on Election Day can cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will verify the registration with DPS and count the vote if eligibility is confirmed.
Legal backdrop
Voting‑rights groups have sued Texas, alleging that the backlog violated a 2021 settlement requiring the state to provide a reliable online registration method. The settlement underscores the importance of a dependable system for ensuring every eligible Texan can exercise the right to vote.
With the backlog cleared and grant assistance in place, Texas counties are positioned to focus on final preparations for the November election, reinforcing the state’s commitment to a smooth and inclusive voting process.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
