Travis County officials took legal action against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on Tuesday regarding the state’s interference with voter registration efforts leading up to a highly contested presidential election. The lawsuit alleged a violation of the National Voter Registration Act and marked an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Republican state officials and Democratic urban county leaders over voter registration. The battle continues as the deadline to register to vote approaches on Oct. 7.
During a press conference, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza expressed determination in fighting back against these challenges. The federal lawsuit was prompted by Paxton’s attempt to block the county from sending voter registration applications to eligible individuals not on the voter rolls. Paxton’s argument was based on the Texas Election Code, suggesting that collecting information and encouraging voter registration were unlawful activities conducted by the county.
In contrast to Paxton’s stance, Democrats, local leaders, and election experts disagreed with his interpretation of the state’s laws. Moreover, Paxton made unfounded accusations against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming they allowed undocumented immigrants to vote for Democrats. Paxton also raised concerns about the potential for ineligible voters registering through mailed applications, despite the established verification processes in place at county and state levels.
Travis County officials emphasized that their voter registration efforts were nonpartisan and compliant with regulations. They took legal action to continue their voter registration initiatives, following a similar effort in Bexar County being upheld by a judge. Allegations were made against Paxton for violating the Voting Rights Act and Nelson for failing to intervene in the situation.
The lawsuit also highlighted a provision in state law allowing local governments to seek reimbursement for mailing voter registration applications to residents. Travis County Judge Andy Brown emphasized the county’s commitment to serving its citizens and adhering to election laws. The legal battle between state and county officials reflects a broader struggle over voting rights and registration practices, intensifying ahead of the upcoming presidential election.