Are you registered to vote after voting rolls removal?

BROWNSVILLE, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state removed over one million names from the voter registration rolls.

With a little more than a month to go until the November elections, this has many asking if their name got removed.

Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza says the state removing names from the voter rolls is nothing to be alarmed about. He says this is done annually to ensure an accurate number of voters.

“In the past, essentially every two years, we actually have to purge people off the rolls in Cameron County usually represents about 10 to 12,000 people whose names are removed from the roll simply because we can’t confirm the residency and they haven’t showed up to vote,” Garza said.

The election administrator also says this happens because people move, pass away or are incarcerated. People who have not voted may also be put on the state’s suspense list.

“It just puts a little flag on your registration so that if you do show up to vote, we can confirm your address,” Garza said. “Also, if you’re on the suspense list for extended period of time and you aren’t voting in two federal election cycles, so approximately every four years, you’re subject to being removed from the rolls because we can just no longer confirm your residency.”

Voters ValleyCentral spoke with in Cameron County say they are not worried about their status since they regularly participate in local elections.

Luis Alcala, a Brownsville voter, is one of those who recently voted. “I have not checked but the last time I voted it was fine,” Alcala said.

Mary Lou John, another Brownsville voter, also says she votes regularly because it is very important and a civic duty.

“By going out and voting, the people we support and our going to help us, I think that is just the best thing for the community and the nation,” John said.

Brownsville resident Kayla Silva says she has never voted but is considering casting her ballot this year.

“I don’t know,” Silva said. “I know that we have to but its just either I never had the time or me personally, I know this is bad, I just don’t want to.”

In Texas, once you register, it automatically renews every two years until your county receives information that you no longer reside in the area.

The last day to register to vote is on Oct. 7.

Visit the website for more information on if you are registered or call the county offices at (956) 544-0809.

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