Paxton campaign refutes election complaint from Texas Democrats
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign is pushing back against a complaint from the Collin County Democrats asking the state’s chief elections officer to determine whether Paxton had violated the state’s election laws.
Collin County Democratic Party Vice Chair Mary Higbe filed the complaint on July 14 with the Texas secretary of state’s office following an investigation by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica. The joint investigation alleges that Paxton had voted in six elections in the past two years using a former address.
The address he used was his former one in Collin County, according to the complaint, where he previously lived with his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton. However, public records show he had moved out in June 2024.
Three election officials told ProPublica and The Texas Tribune that Paxton may have broken state election law, which requires voters to be registered where they live.
Under Texas election laws, voters may temporarily cast ballots using an address where they do not reside, so long as they intend to return, but experts said it is unclear whether Paxton could make such an argument given his ongoing divorce.
Higbe said in a statement that Paxton has been using an address associated with a home in Denton County, in the Dallas area.
“Texans deserve to know that the laws governing our elections are enforced fairly and consistently,” said Higbe. “Paxton has built his political career on allegations of voter fraud and championed aggressive prosecutions of election-related offenses. It’s unacceptable for Attorney General Paxton to appear to disregard the very laws he expects others to follow.”
However, Paxton’s campaign is rebuking the complaint and the joint Texas Tribune and ProPublica investigation
In a statement, Paxton’s campaign spokesperson, Madison Cercy, said that Paxton is a “lawful, registered Texas voter in full compliance with the law.”
“This is just another partisan hit piece attempting to smear a Republican nominee by insinuating wrongdoing where none exists,” Cercy said in a statement. “What voters actually care about is that Ken Paxton has fought to secure Texas elections, while James Talarico shields his own voter registration from public view and has actively opposed the voter ID and mail-ballot protections Texans overwhelmingly support.”
What happens next?
Alicia Pierce, a spokesperson for the Texas secretary of state’s office, told ProPublica that the office will review the complaint and, if appropriate, refer it to the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Paxton is the Texas attorney general and is the Republican candidate in the state’s U.S. Senate race.
The Collin County Democratic Party also said the Collin County District Attorney’s Office and Collin County Elections Office have been notified of the matter as well.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
