Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a warning to the commissioners courts of Bexar and Harris counties regarding their proposed plans to mail voter registration forms to individuals without verifying their eligibility.
On September 3, 2024, the Bexar County Commissioners Court will deliberate on using taxpayer funds to hire a third-party vendor for printing and distributing voter registration forms to unregistered residents in the county. A similar proposal is under consideration by the Harris County Commissioners Court. The distribution of these forms to unverified recipients could potentially lead ineligible individuals—such as felons and noncitizens—to commit a crime by attempting to register to vote. Additionally, Texas counties lack statutory authority to print and mail state voter registration forms, rendering the proposal illegal.
Attorney General Paxton has stated that if the Bexar County Commissioners Court adopts this measure at its meeting tomorrow, he will initiate legal action to enforce Texas law. He also indicated that similar actions would be taken against Harris County should it proceed with its plan.
“It is unlawful and reckless for counties to use taxpayer dollars to indiscriminately send voter registration forms with no consideration of the recipients’ eligibility and without any statutory authority to do so,” said Attorney General Paxton. “These counties’ attempts to do so after the Biden-Harris Administration has allowed millions of illegal aliens to enter the country are especially troubling.”
The letters further warned: “It is more important than ever that we maintain the integrity of our voter rolls and ensure only eligible voters decide our elections. Your proposal does the opposite by indiscriminately inviting county residents to register to vote regardless of their eligibility. I urge you to abandon this proposal. If you do not, I will see you in court.”
To read the letter addressed to Bexar County, click here.
To read the letter addressed to Harris County, click here.