Travis County officials have taken legal action against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Secretary of State Jane Nelson over attempts to block voter registration efforts ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The federal lawsuit accuses state officials of violating the National Voter Registration Act and escalates the ongoing battle between Republican state officials and Democratic urban county leaders.
Paxton had previously filed a lawsuit to prevent Travis County from mailing voter registration applications to eligible voters who are not on the rolls, arguing that it was illegal under the Texas Election Code. However, Democrats, local leaders, and election experts disagreed with his interpretation of the law.
The lawsuit also addresses false accusations made by Paxton and claims that mailing voter registration applications could lead to ineligible voters signing up. Travis County officials refute these claims and emphasize that their voter registration efforts are nonpartisan.
The legal battle comes as the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline approaches. Travis County officials hope that the federal court will allow them to continue sending out voter registration applications to promote people’s right to vote. The decision to file the federal lawsuit followed a judge’s denial of Paxton’s request to block another county from mailing voter registration applications.
The lawsuit alleges that Paxton violated the Voting Rights Act and accuses Nelson of not intervening to prevent unlawful conduct. Travis County officials argue that state law allows them to send out voter registration applications and seek reimbursement for their efforts in promoting civic engagement.
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