Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced via Twitter that his office is launching an investigation into claims that illegal immigrants have been registered to vote in Texas.
In Texas, it is a serious crime to falsely claim U.S. citizenship when registering to vote or to assist someone in doing so. Offenders can face up to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, it is illegal for non-U.S. citizens and non-residents of Texas to vote in the state or to help others who are not eligible to vote. Violations of this law can result in penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
This investigation underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the voting process in Texas.
Twitter Post Statement:
I am launching an investigation into reports that organizations in Texas are illegally registering non-citizens to vote. Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections. If eligible citizens can legally register to vote when conducting their business at a DPS office, why would they need a second opportunity to register with a booth outside? My office is investigating every credible report we receive regarding potential criminal activity that could compromise the integrity of our elections. The Biden-Harris Administration has intentionally flooded our country with illegal aliens, and without proper safeguards, foreign nationals can illegally influence elections at the local, state, and national level. It is a crime to vote—or to register to vote—if you are not a United States Citizen. Any wrongdoing will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
For years, I have warned about the risks of illegal aliens voting in American elections. We must, at every level of government, ensure that only citizens cast ballots to determine the direction of the country. I’ve directed the full weight and force of my office toward this issue and we will not stop until every available remedy has been exhausted. Know this: if you are illegally registering to vote or assisting someone to vote illegally, you will suffer the full consequences under the law.
Breaking: I am launching an investigation into reports that organizations in Texas are illegally registering non-citizens to vote.
Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering… pic.twitter.com/ayXqy3eogG
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 21, 2024
Press Release Statement
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into reports that organizations operating in Texas may be unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote in violation of state and federal law.
Investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s Election Integrity Unit recently conducted undercover operations to identify potential voter registration of noncitizens in Texas. The investigation has already confirmed that various nonprofit organizations have been located outside Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License offices, operating booths offering to assist in voter registration for persons doing business at the driver’s license offices. But all citizens have already been presented an opportunity to register to vote as part of the process of renewing or being issued an identification card or driver’s license, so there is no obvious need to assist citizens to register to vote outside DPS offices—calling into question the motives of the nonprofit groups.
“Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections. If eligible citizens can legally register to vote when conducting their business at a DPS office, why would they need a second opportunity to register with a booth outside? My office is investigating every credible report we receive regarding potential criminal activity that could compromise the integrity of our elections. The Biden-Harris Administration has intentionally flooded our country with illegal aliens, and without proper safeguards, foreign nationals can illegally influence elections at the local, state, and national level. It is a crime to vote—or to register to vote—if you are not a United States Citizen. Any wrongdoing will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Paxton.
It is a crime in Texas to lie about your citizenship when you register to vote—or to help someone else do so. You can be sentenced up to two years in a state jail and pay up to a $10,000 fine. It is a crime to vote in Texas if you are not a United States Citizen and a Texas Resident, or to help someone vote who is not. You can be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and pay up to a $10,000 fine.
The undercover operations have been conducted throughout major metropolitan areas of Texas and are ongoing.
