Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured an agreed injunction with Castleberry Independent School District (“ISD”) after suing the district for illegal electioneering.
In response to the legal action, Castleberry ISD agreed that the superintendent and all employees would refrain from using any funds or resources, including emails, to engage in illegal electioneering. Paxton filed the lawsuit after the superintendent of Castleberry ISD allegedly distributed a list of political endorsements and instructed the district’s administration to “vote accordingly,” a clear violation of the Texas Election Code.
"School districts should be aware that illegal electioneering is criminal conduct and violators could be subject to criminal prosecution by local authorities," warned Attorney General Paxton, emphasizing the importance of upholding election laws. Despite the current limitation on prosecuting criminal violations of the Election Code, Paxton remains committed to utilizing all available means to safeguard the integrity of Texas elections.
The injunction obtained against Castleberry ISD is part of Paxton's broader initiative to prevent public officials from unlawfully influencing elections through the misuse of state resources. In addition to Castleberry ISD, Paxton has also taken legal action against other school districts such as Denton ISD, Denison ISD, and Frisco ISD for similar offenses. The Attorney General's office is actively investigating potential violations in other districts across the state.
The agreed injunction marks a significant step towards curbing illegal electioneering in Texas, signaling Paxton's dedication to enforcing election laws and ensuring fair electoral processes in the state.