Full Breakdown
Texas DPS System Error Creates Tens-Thousands-Strong Voter-Registration Backlog
By Drooid · · How we work
The Error and Immediate Impact
A glitch in the Texas Department of Public Safety’s online driver-license portal stopped a large batch of voter-registration transactions from reaching county election officials. The records remained “stuck” in the system until the state began delivering the backlogged files to counties the week it was discovered, less than two weeks before the October 5 registration deadline for the November 3 midterm election. County clerks now must review, verify and enter the surge of applications before early voting starts later in October.
Background: DPS Online Portal and Registration Process
Since September 2020, Texas has allowed eligible residents to register to vote—or update an existing registration—through the DPS portal when they renew a driver’s license or state ID. Between 2020 and 2024, about six million Texans used the service, according to testimony presented to state lawmakers in 2025.
Data & Statistics
- Bexar County received more than 45,000 backlogged records.
- Travis County received more than 35,000 backlogged records.
- Dallas County reported about 40,000 pending records.
- Smaller jurisdictions reported backlogs ranging from a few hundred to several thousand applications.
- The statewide total remains undisclosed, and officials have not broken down new registrations versus address updates or duplicates.
Official Statements & Responses
Secretary of State spokesperson Alicia Pierce said voters whose applications were delayed can still cast a provisional ballot; election officials will verify the original DPS transaction before counting the vote. State elections director Christina Adkins said the agency is “actively investigating” the source of the records and has asked vendor Civix to temporarily remove the affected files from county dashboards. The state will send the records to counties in batches and coordinate with local voter-registration software vendors to prevent newer updates from being overwritten.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic Rep. James Talarico called the error “unacceptable” and urged Texans to verify their registration status online. Rep. John Bucy (D-Austin) described the situation as “absolutely outrageous,” arguing that additional resources are needed for counties to process the backlog on time. Chris McGinn, executive director of the Texas Association of County Election Officials, warned many counties will need overtime or temporary staff to handle the surge.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Less than two weeks before the voter registration deadline, thousands of Texans are now in the dark about their voter registration status — even more aren’t aware of this error at all,” — Rep. James Talarico
- “A voter who registered through DPS online services but does not appear on the rolls can cast a provisional ballot,” — Alicia Pierce
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise scale of the backlog. NBC News and The Oakland Press cite “tens of thousands” for the largest counties but give no statewide total. Votebeat notes records date back to October 2025, suggesting nearly a year of unprocessed transactions, while Dallas Express reports about 40,000 for Dallas County alone. No outlet has disclosed the exact number of voters affected or the specific data fields missing from the incomplete records. The timing of the error’s onset also varies; some reports reference an issue that began “last October” (2025), others say it was discovered only last week.
What’s Next
The state will continue sending backlogged files to counties in batches, working with each county’s voter-registration vendor to prevent older DPS records from overwriting newer information. County election offices have pledged to extend hours and, where necessary, hire additional staff to meet processing demands before early voting begins. Voters are encouraged to check their registration status through the state’s online portal or by contacting their county election office before the October 5 deadline.