Texas Attorney General’s Election Integrity Unit Arrests Convicted Felons Accused of Casting Ballots While on Parole

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Office announced on October 31, 2026, that its Election Integrity Unit (EIU) had arrested convicted felons accused of illegally casting ballots while still serving their sentences. The action followed a citizen tip received on October 27 reporting that individuals who were incarcerated, on parole, or on probation had allegedly voted in Harris County during the 2026 election cycle.

According to the official press release from the Office of the Attorney General, the tipster provided open-source information supporting the allegation. EIU analysts verified the identities of the individuals in question, reviewed their voter registration records, and confirmed whether they had cast ballots in the 2026 election. Investigators then referred the cases to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). TDCJ confirmed that multiple individuals were on parole at the time they cast their ballots, which rendered them ineligible under Texas law.

Arrest warrants were issued in Montgomery County on October 30. Officers from the Attorney General’s Office executed the warrants and made the arrests. The office stated that the EIU is actively investigating additional reports of election crimes and will continue examining allegations of illegal voting.

Paxton said in a statement: “Today, my office arrested convicted felons for voting illegally in Texas. My Election Integrity Unit is actively investigating additional reports of election crimes. We will continue working to protect the lawful votes of Texans.” The announcement did not name the individuals arrested, specify the exact number of arrests, or detail the specific charges filed.

Texas law is clear on the eligibility of people with felony convictions. Under Texas Election Code Section 11.002, a person is a qualified voter only if he or she has not been finally convicted of a felony, or, if so convicted, has fully discharged the sentence. People who remain incarcerated, on parole, or on probation for a felony conviction are therefore ineligible. The Texas Secretary of State’s office has long stated that successful completion of all terms of punishment, including parole and supervision, is required before eligibility is restored.

The arrests occurred during early voting ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. The EIU has conducted prior investigations into election-related offenses. In September 2026, the Attorney General’s Office, working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations, announced charges against seven noncitizens accused of illegal voting activity connected to the 2024 election. Those cases involved federal charges of voting by an alien and false statements of citizenship in connection with voter registration. The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has also referred additional cases of potential noncitizen voting to the Attorney General’s Office for investigation.