Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Tuesday that she will resign from her position on July 17, ending a tenure of more than three years as the state’s chief elections officer.

Nelson, 74, did not disclose a reason for her departure. Before taking on the role of secretary of state, she spent more than three decades representing a North Texas district in the Texas Senate as a Republican lawmaker.

In a statement, Nelson said her focus throughout her time in office was maintaining the integrity of Texas elections while ensuring voters could participate confidently in the electoral process.

“My goal has been to ensure voting in Texas remains secure, accessible, and fair,” Nelson said. “We have worked extensively to maintain accurate voter registration records and provide voters with the information they need to cast their ballots with confidence.”

Abbott Praises Nelson’s Service

Gov. Greg Abbott, who appointed Nelson to the position, commended her leadership and years of public service.

“Jane Nelson has served Texas with dedication and distinction,” Abbott said. “She has represented our state with grace and honor both at home and abroad, and Texans are better served because of her work.”

Abbott will appoint Nelson’s successor, who will oversee preparations for the November midterm elections.

Key Responsibilities and Accomplishments

As secretary of state, Nelson oversaw election administration across Texas, managed business registration filings, and served as the state’s chief international protocol officer.

During her tenure, the agency completed several modernization efforts, including renovations to its headquarters, upgrades to its website, and the digitization of millions of state records.

Election Oversight Drew Political Scrutiny

Nelson’s office faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers and voting rights advocates earlier this year after providing Texas voter registration data to the federal government for a review aimed at identifying potentially ineligible voters.

Opponents argued that the move could invite unnecessary federal involvement in state election matters, while supporters maintained it was part of efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls.

Nelson will remain in office through the completion of the state’s primary and runoff election cycle before officially stepping down in mid-July.