Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit to stop Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, from mailing voter registration forms to 210,000 unregistered voters. The county approved a contract with a vendor to send out the unsolicited forms in an effort to register 75,000 voters. Paxton, a Republican, argues that it is illegal for county officials to arrange for mass mailings of voter registration forms without solicitation.
In response to the lawsuit, Paxton stated that despite being warned against the illegal program, Bexar County chose to violate the law by spending taxpayer dollars on the mailing. This lawsuit is part of a larger effort by Republican leaders in Texas to combat efforts by Democratic cities that are trying to make voting more accessible. Paxton’s office also previously launched an election integrity unit in 2018 to investigate voter fraud allegations, but it has resulted in few convictions.
Civic Government Solutions, the vendor hired by the county, is run by progressive activist Jeremy Smith. Smith assured county leaders that his company is nonpartisan and focused on registering as many voters as possible from all parties. Despite concerns about Smith’s ties to progressive ideals and Paxton’s legal threats, county officials ultimately approved the contract to make it easier for new residents in the county to register to vote.
During the meeting where the contract was approved, several residents voiced opposition to the initiative, alleging that the commissioners were trying to register more Democrats and non-citizens. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, a Democrat, defended the effort as a way to promote democracy and ensure that all residents have access to the registration process. The county judge, two Democratic commissioners, and one Republican commissioner voted on the contract while another Democrat abstained.
The lawsuit filed by Paxton highlights the ongoing political divide in Texas over voting access and voter registration. While Democratic leaders see initiatives like the one in Bexar County as important for promoting democracy, Republican leaders like Paxton view such efforts as potentially illegal and partisan. The outcome of this lawsuit could have implications for future voter registration efforts in Texas and other states facing similar legal challenges.
As the legal battle between the state attorney general’s office and Bexar County continues, it is clear that the fight over voter registration and accessibility will persist in Texas. Both sides are committed to their beliefs about the importance of making it easier for residents to participate in the democratic process, but they have differing views on how best to achieve that goal. Ultimately, the outcome of this lawsuit will have a significant impact on voter registration efforts and access in Texas and potentially across the country.
