Texas Department of Public Safety Error Creates Massive Voter-Registration Backlog

An error in the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) online driver-license portal prevented thousands of voter-registration applications and updates from being transmitted to county registrars. The problem, first flagged by the secretary of state’s office last week, affected records dating back to October 2025, creating a backlog that counties must now clear before the upcoming November election.

Texas Tribune

State officials estimate the backlog includes “tens of thousands” of applications statewide. In Collin County alone, more than 40,000 additional records have arrived, a mix of new registrations and address updates. County elections administrator Kaleb Breaux says his office has seven full-time staff and added ten temporary workers since Labor Day to process the surge, and further staffing may be required. Smaller jurisdictions report limited resources and anticipate overtime costs as they sort duplicates from genuine new filings.

Texas Tribune

The agency declined to comment on the cause of the error or the precise number of affected voters. State officials advise that any voter whose registration did not appear on the rolls can request a provisional ballot, which will be counted once eligibility is confirmed.

Texas Tribune

• “I have seven full-time voter registration staff and we have brought in 10 temporary workers since Labor Day to help out with applications,” — Kaleb Breaux, the county’s elections administrator

Texas Tribune

• “It is absolutely outrageous that, in the run-up to one of the most consequential midterm elections in decades, Texans have had their voter registrations impacted by a failure at the Texas Department of Public Safety,” — State Rep. John Bucy

Texas Tribune