The secretary of state must compare voter-registration information, send notices in some cases, set weak/strong match rules, and may use other state databases; counties must investigate weak-match notices.
Sec. 18.068. COMPARISON OF INFORMATION REGARDING INELIGIBILITY. (a) The secretary of state shall quarterly compare the information received under Section 16.001 of this code and Sections 62.113 and 62.114, Government Code, to the statewide computerized voter registration list. If the secretary determines that a voter on the registration list is deceased or has been excused or disqualified from jury service because the voter is not a citizen or a resident of the county in which the voter is registered to vote, the secretary shall send notice of the determination to the voter registrar of the counties considered appropriate by the secretary. (a-1) The secretary of state is not required to send notice under Subsection (a) for a voter who is subject to an exemption from jury service under Section 62.106, Government Code, if that exemption is the only reason the voter is excused from jury service. (b) The secretary of state shall by rule determine what information combinations identified as common to a voter and to an individual who is deceased constitute a weak match or a strong match in order to: (1) produce the least possible impact on Texas voters; and (2) fulfill its responsibility to manage the voter rolls. (c) The secretary of state may not determine that a voter is deceased based on a weak match. The secretary of state may inform the county of the voter's residence that a weak match exists. (d) On receiving notification from the secretary of state under Subsection (c) that a weak match of identifying information exists for a county voter and an individual who is deceased, the county shall investigate whether the voter is the individual who is deceased. (e) The secretary of state may determine that a voter is deceased based on a strong match. (f) The secretary of state may obtain, for purposes of determining whether a voter is deceased, information from other state agency databases relating to a voter that is the same type of information that the secretary of state or a voter registrar collects or stores for voter registration purposes. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 683 (H.B. 174), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1093 (H.B. 3593), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 1), Sec. 2.07, eff. December 2, 2021.