Ken Paxton Files Another Lawsuit Over Voter Registration Efforts

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against Travis County to block its initiative to increase voter registration ahead of the upcoming November election. The lawsuit targets a decision by the Travis County commissioners to hire Civic Government Solutions, a third-party firm, to identify non-registered voters and encourage them to register, according to a recent report by The Texas Tribune.

In response to the lawsuit, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard defended the county’s actions, stating, “We just thought it was a nice thing to do.” The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal maneuvers by Paxton aimed at halting voter registration efforts in several Democratic-leaning counties across Texas.

Paxton’s Accusations of Illegal Activity

Paxton claims that Travis County’s decision to hire Civic Government Solutions violates Texas law, describing the company as a “partisan actor” involved in illegal voter registration activities. He further asserted that such programs create opportunities for voter fraud and undermine public trust in elections.

“Travis County has blatantly violated Texas law by paying partisan actors to conduct unlawful identification efforts to track down people who are not registered to vote,” Paxton said. “Programs like this invite fraud and reduce public trust in our elections. We will stop them and any other county considering such programs.”

However, Travis County officials pushed back, standing by their decision to encourage voter participation. Hector Nieto, a county spokesperson, emphasized the county’s commitment to ensuring every eligible person has the opportunity to vote.

Broader Legal Battle Over Voter Registration

Paxton’s lawsuit against Travis County follows a similar legal action against Bexar County, which includes San Antonio. Both counties are strongholds for the Democratic Party, making them focal points for Paxton’s legal efforts. Meanwhile, Harris County, the most populous in Texas, has also faced threats of legal action over its voter registration program, although county officials have since expressed doubts about moving forward due to time constraints.

Jeremy Smith, the CEO of Civic Government Solutions, has denied Paxton’s accusations of partisanship, asserting that his company operates under strict nonpartisan guidelines. “The company is not partisan at all, the company’s bylaws and mission and fiduciary responsibilities are all expressly nonpartisan,” Smith told The Texas Tribune.

Voter Registration at the Heart of Political Tension

Paxton’s lawsuits highlight the growing political tension over voter registration efforts in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has also focused on voter roll maintenance, recently announcing the removal of nearly a million people from voter rolls following changes to state election laws. Critics argue that these legal challenges and policy changes are attempts to suppress voter turnout in Democratic-leaning areas.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, criticized Paxton’s actions during a discussion at The Texas Tribune Festival, calling them an effort to prevent eligible U.S. citizens from voting. “Paxton is basically saying I don’t want new folks, people who are U.S. citizens, to get a chance to vote,” Casar said.

What’s Next?

With the voter registration deadline set for October 7, legal battles over voter outreach programs in counties like Travis, Bexar, and Harris are intensifying. Whether these counties can continue their efforts in the face of legal challenges remains to be seen, but the outcome could significantly impact voter turnout in some of Texas’ largest urban areas.