In a rural area of Texas, six individuals, including two members of the City Council and a school board trustee, have been indicted as part of an expanding election investigation led by Attorney General Ken Paxton. These developments, announced on Wednesday, have sparked dissent among Latino rights activists who argue the case is politically motivated.
The latest indictments from May 1 encompass the leading official in Frio County, where around 18,000 people reside, along with a local resident and a county elections worker. This follows last year’s law enforcement actions, which involved searching the homes of Latino campaign volunteers near San Antonio, but none of those individuals have yet been charged.
The majority of the accused face charges related to “vote harvesting” under Texas law, which is a felony involving the illicit handling and submission of other people’s absentee ballots, often in exchange for payment. Some officials from Frio County allegedly used Cash App for these illicit financial exchanges related to vote harvesting services.
Ken Paxton expressed his commitment to preserving electoral integrity in a released statement, emphasizing the necessity for fair elections in Texas and his intent to prosecute any officials attempting to manipulate the system.
Previously, the League of United Latin American Citizens had advocated for a federal review concerning the state’s investigative measures, especially after warrantless raids were conducted. LULAC’s Texas director, Gabriel Rosales, maintains that these charges are baseless, arguing they exemplify attempts at voter suppression rather than genuine fraud cases.
These third-degree felonies can carry sentences of up to ten years. Among those charged are Frio County Judge Rochelle Camacho, Council members Racheal Garza and Ramiro Trevino of Pearsall, along with Pearsall ISD Trustee Adriann Ramirez and resident Rosa Rodriguez. Additionally, ex-Elections Administrator Carlos Segura is accused of tampering with evidence.
Segura has dismissed the accusations against him as “ridiculous,” refraining from further comments on legal advice. Attempts to reach Camacho, Trevino, Garza, and Ramirez for their comments were unsuccessful, and Rodriguez could not be contacted.
This escalating investigation stems from assertions of voter fraud which Ken Paxton has pursued since the 2020 elections, despite such instances being rare. Texas has updated its electoral regulations, and critics often debate whether these measures aim to reduce voter turnout among minority demographics.
The origins of this current probe link back to a complaint from Mary Moore, a contender against Camacho in the 2022 Democratic primary. Moore alleged that Camacho employed a woman with long-standing involvement in collecting mail-in ballots, alleging fees were exchanged for these services as well as for aiding curbside voting.
Details from affidavits suggest this alleged vote harvesting ring targeted vulnerable elderly residents in a specific area, with sisters Camacho and Ramirez supposedly gathering mail-in ballots in a concerted effort. Moreover, the primary vote harvester supposedly concealed ballots and employed multiple vehicles to evade detection, while Segura reportedly supplied her with key logistical details regarding the ballot process.
A federal appellate court recently upheld Texas’s stringent voter laws, bolstering regulations and sanctions against vote harvesting, reflecting a contentious ongoing debate over the balance between securing electoral integrity and ensuring voter access.