Texas AG Threatens Counties Over Voter Registration

Bexar and Harris counties in Texas are facing legal threats from Attorney General Ken Paxton over their plans to mail unsolicited voter registration forms to eligible residents. Paxton argues that such actions could lead to ineligible individuals, such as noncitizens and felons, mistakenly registering to vote, which he deems illegal and reckless. Bexar County recently approved a $393,000 outreach contract to facilitate this initiative, despite local GOP opposition claiming it would unfairly favor Democrats. In response to Paxton's threats, both counties are pushing back, with Democratic officials asserting that the outreach efforts are nonpartisan and legally sound. Meanwhile, recent raids by Paxton's office on the homes of Latino voting activists have sparked accusations of voter suppression, further complicating the political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. As the situation unfolds, local leaders are bracing for potential court battles over voter registration practices.