Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured an agreed injunction with Denton Independent School District (“ISD”) after suing the district for illegal electioneering. Paxton took action after a school principal used an official email to encourage staff members to vote against specific candidates.
In a statement, Attorney General Paxton highlighted the violation, stating, "The use of government resources to circulate voting guidelines to other public employees directly violated Texas’s prohibition against the use of state or local funds for electioneering."
Despite limitations in prosecuting criminal violations of the Election Code, Paxton pursued civil injunctive relief and successfully obtained an agreed injunction against Denton ISD to halt their unlawful attempts to influence elections. Paxton emphasized that illegal electioneering is criminal conduct and violators could face prosecution by local authorities.
This recent injunction is part of Paxton's broader efforts to crack down on illegal electioneering across the state. The Attorney General has previously taken legal action against other school districts, including securing an injunction against Castleberry ISD and a restraining order against Frisco ISD. Lawsuits have also been filed against Aledo ISD, Huffman ISD, Hutto ISD, and Denison ISD.
Attorney General Paxton's commitment to protecting the integrity of Texas elections is evident in his use of all available means to address illegal electioneering practices.