Texas Secretary of State shares security measures for upcoming election

As voters cast their ballots this week for the Nov. 5 election, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson shares how the state has prepared for a secure election.  

“Texas leads the way when it comes to election security, and I want voters to know our state and county officials are ready for the November election,” Nelson said. “Many security protocols are new, and others have been around for decades, but Texans deserve to know the ways we are working to secure their votes.”

Texas has put several security measures in place leading up to the election, including:  

• Publicly testing voting systems before the machines are used in the election
• Requiring background checks for all personnel that prepare or service voting system equipment
• Multi-factor authentication to access the statewide voter registration database
• Annual cybersecurity training for any individual with access to the statewide voter registration database, mandatory reporting of any cybersecurity breach, and mandatory security assessments for county election departments

During the election, no voting system is ever connected to the internet at any point. Before and after use each day, all voting systems are sealed and locked with devices containing unique serial numbers. 

Other requirements at the polls include:

• Video recording and live streaming of all areas containing voted ballots in counties with a population of 100,000 or more
• Election workers at the polling place must confirm that there are zero votes cast at the opening of voting and at the end of voting – they must compare the number of ballots cast to the number of voters who have checked-in on the poll list.

Poll watchers are also allowed to observe at any early voting and election day polling locations and at the central counting station where ballots are being counted. 

After the election, the state requires a post-election audit in counties that use paper ballots. The Texas Secretary of State’s Elections Division Audit Program reviews and examines election records and documents maintained by county election officials to ensure election law and security procedures have been followed. 

To further protect against voter fraud, voters must show an ID at the polls. Voters using mail-in ballots must also provide an ID or the last four-digits of their social security number.  

When Texans register to vote, they must provide a driver’s license or a social security number. Texas continually updates the statewide voter registration database, removing voters who are ineligible due to death, moving, felony conviction, or lack of U.S. citizenship.

Texans have the right to challenge the eligibility of any registered voter in their county.

Illegal voting is considered a felony in Texas.  

Voter fraud and election security has become more of a concern in recent years. According to the Texas Secretary of State’s website, there is no evidence that any voting or the voting registration process has been compromised in past elections. 

Early voting ends on Nov. 1. To learn more about the voting process, visit VoteTexas.gov.