Politics Desk 04 Sep , 2024 04:33 PM GMT
Texas AG Paxton took legal action against Bexar County for unsolicited voter registration forms.
Paxton warned Bexar County against the plan before filing a lawsuit.
The county aimed to register 75,000 new voters through mass mailing.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement at his office, May 26, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
On Wednesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took legal action to prevent Bexar County, which encompasses San Antonio, from sending out unsolicited voter registration forms to around 210,000 individuals. The county's initiative aimed to register approximately 75,000 new voters by partnering with a vendor for the mass mailing.
Paxton had previously cautioned Bexar County against proceeding with the plan, citing the illegality of county officials organizing such a widespread distribution of voter registration forms. In response to the county's decision to move forward, Paxton filed a lawsuit, asserting that the program violates the law and misuses taxpayer funds.
In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Paxton criticized Bexar County for disregarding the legal implications of their actions, despite being forewarned about the potential legal consequences. This legal battle is part of a broader effort by Texas Republican leaders to challenge initiatives by Democratic-leaning cities that seek to enhance voter accessibility.
Furthermore, Paxton's office established an election integrity unit in 2018 to investigate claims of voter fraud. However, the unit's efforts have resulted in minimal convictions thus far. The vendor contracted by Bexar County, Civic Government Solutions, is led by Jeremy Smith, a progressive activist. Smith emphasized the nonpartisan nature of his company and expressed a commitment to registering voters from all political affiliations.
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