Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against Huffman Independent School District ("ISD") and Aledo ISD for allegedly engaging in illegal electioneering. According to Paxton, both school districts used state resources to influence political races in violation of the Texas Election Code.
In a statement, Attorney General Paxton highlighted the seriousness of the issue, stating, "School districts should be aware that illegal electioneering is criminal conduct and violators could be subject to criminal prosecution by local authorities." Although Paxton is currently unable to criminally prosecute violations of the Election Code, he emphasized his commitment to upholding the integrity of Texas elections through civil injunctive relief.
The lawsuit against Huffman ISD stems from an incident at Hargrave High School, where the superintendent allegedly instructed faculty to vote for specific politicians and provided a list of endorsed candidates. Similarly, Aledo ISD officials are accused of using school resources to promote certain political policies and measures.
These legal actions are part of Attorney General Paxton's broader initiative to combat illegal electioneering in the state. Other school districts, such as Castleberry ISD, Frisco ISD, Denton ISD, and Denison ISD, have also faced legal challenges for similar offenses.
Paxton's efforts to address illegal electioneering have garnered attention and prompted discussions on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in Texas. The lawsuits against Huffman ISD and Aledo ISD serve as a reminder of the legal boundaries that public institutions must adhere to when it comes to political activities.