Texas Strikes Back – Explosive Legal Fight Uncovers Voter Roll Chaos

Building dome with US and Texas flags, blue sky.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launches a legal battle against the Biden administration, claiming up to 450,000 potentially ineligible voters are on Texas rolls due to federal non-compliance.

At a Glance

  • Ken Paxton sues Biden administration over voter citizenship verification
  • Lawsuit claims up to 450,000 voter citizenship statuses are unverifiable
  • Paxton argues federal non-compliance hinders Texas’s ability to ensure fair elections
  • Texas Secretary of State joins as co-plaintiff in the legal action

Paxton’s Legal Challenge to Protect Texas Elections

In a bold move to safeguard the integrity of Texas elections, Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration. The legal action centers on the federal government’s alleged failure to assist Texas in verifying the citizenship status of registered voters. Paxton claims this lack of cooperation jeopardizes the state’s ability to confirm the eligibility of up to 450,000 individuals on its voter rolls.

The lawsuit, which names the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Director Ur Jaddou as defendants, comes at a critical time. With early voting already underway in Texas, the urgency of resolving this dispute is paramount. Paxton argues that federal non-compliance with established law severely hampers Texas’s efforts to conduct free and fair elections.

The Crux of the Dispute

At the heart of this legal battle is the Department of Homeland Security’s role in facilitating state access to citizenship verification through the USCIS’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.

While federal officials maintain that SAVE is the most secure and efficient method for verifying citizenship status, Paxton contends it is inadequate for Texas’s needs. The Attorney General’s office has specifically requested information on voters who did not use Texas-issued IDs to register, a request that has allegedly gone unanswered by the Biden administration.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has refused to comply with federal law, presenting yet another obstacle for Texas to overcome in ensuring free and fair elections in our state. The law demands that they provide important information regarding the citizenship of nearly half a million potentially ineligible voters. Since the Biden-Harris Administration has chosen to ignore the law, I will see them in court.” – Ken Paxton

Paxton’s lawsuit emphasizes that accessing this crucial information is not just a matter of state preference but a federal legal obligation. The Attorney General sent a letter on October 7, demanding federal compliance by October 19, with a list of approximately 450,000 voters whose citizenship status remains unverified. These individuals reportedly registered without using a Texas-issued driver’s license or ID card, raising questions about their eligibility to participate in Texas elections.

Implications and Controversy

Critics, particularly Democrats, view these actions as potential voter intimidation that could suppress eligible voters. They argue that such aggressive verification efforts may disproportionately affect naturalized citizens and minority communities. The controversy surrounding this issue highlights the delicate balance between ensuring election integrity and protecting voting rights.

The Path Forward

As the legal battle unfolds, Texas voters and election officials find themselves caught in the crossfire of a heated debate over election security and federal-state cooperation. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for how states verify voter eligibility and interact with federal agencies in the process. With the Texas Secretary of State joining as a co-plaintiff, the state presents a united front in its demand for federal cooperation.

“The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program is the most secure and efficient way to reliably verify an individual’s citizenship or immigration status, including for verification regarding voter registration and/or voter list maintenance,” the agency’s director, Ur M. Jaddou, wrote to Nelson, adding that the agency “currently cannot offer an alternative process to any state.” – Ur M. Jaddou

As Paxton vows to pursue this matter in court, the eyes of the nation turn to Texas. The resolution of this dispute will likely set a precedent for how states and the federal government collaborate on voter verification in the future. For now, Texas voters can only wait and watch as this legal drama unfolds, hoping for a resolution that ensures both the integrity of their elections and the protection of their voting rights.