The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Sept. 18, 2026
Written & Produced by:
September 17, 2026 12:34 pmGALVESTON COUNTY, TX — We have three updates from Texas today. The state supreme court blocked a Galveston County voting district map, created after the primary; 1.2 million unresponsive Texas voters had their registrations suspended; and seven noncitizens have been charged for illegally voting.
September 11th the Texas Supreme Court blocked Galveston County from using new, gerrymandered county voting districts for Nov. 3rd, saying Texas statute grants no authority to redistrict while an election is ongoing. But the court did allow those maps to be used in the upcoming 2028 election cycle. Galveston County has a history of racial discrimination in voting.
Election officials announced in August that 1.2 million Texas voters had their registrations added to a “suspense” list after attempts to reach them by mail failed. Votebeat Texas reports that to vote Nov. 3rd, voters have until Oct. 5th to update their registrations at an election office or online. After Oct. 5th, voting is limited to a provisional ballot, which may not be available on election day.
The Texas Tribune reports that September 15th, the Texas attorney general announced illegal voting charges against seven noncitizens, and referred 117 other cases for investigation. The numbers are tiny: Texas has 18.6 million registered voters, and 11.3 million voted in 2024.
We’ve linked to the Texas voter registration check page at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
Texas Supreme Court – Decision in Galveston County Redistricting Case
Texas Tribune – Texas Supreme Court blocks Galveston County from using districts redrawn after the primaries
Houston Public Media – More than a million Texans are on voter suspense lists, face Oct. 5 deadline to update addresses
Votebeat Texas – Here’s what you need to know about Texas’ voter suspense list
State of Texas – Texas Voter Registration Check
Texas Tribune – Texas and feds announce noncitizen voting charges against seven people
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Galveston County, TX Racial Gerrymandering Case Could Weaken Voting Rights Act Protections for Mixed Minority Communities
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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