The Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed on Monday night to keep Texas polling places and central counting sites out of the country, hours after Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against the agency.
According to one report, Paxton sued the Justice Department after the agency announced it would send federal agents to “monitor” elections in Texas. press release From the Attorney General’s Office.
The department planned to send election observers to eight counties: Atascosa, Bexar, Dallas, Frio, Harris, Hays, Palo Pinto and Waller.
Attorney General Ken Paxton secures big victory by stopping Biden-Harris administration from illegally sending Justice Department officials to Texas election site: https://t.co/KA28cmORTX
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) November 5, 2024
According to the complaint, Texas election law prohibits the presence of “unauthorized observers” at any polling place or central counting station. meanwhile Vote counting work. However, according to the complaint, “observers” are allowed to enter central counting stations and polling places “on Election Day and during the vote counting period.”
“The Department regularly dispatches personnel to monitor election compliance with federal civil rights laws in communities across the country,” the Justice Department said. press release said.
Paxton’s lawsuit said there is no federal law that allows the Justice Department to send federal agents to monitor state elections, which is prohibited by state law.
Texas declares off-limits to federal election observers
Watch now: https://t.co/kU99vSxph0 pic.twitter.com/gB36JXVbxl
— Texas Scorecard (@TexasScorecard) November 5, 2024
“Texas elections are run by Texans, and they will not be bullied by the Department of Justice,” Attorney General Paxton said. “The Department of Justice knows it does not have the authority to monitor elections in Texas and stepped back when Texas asserted the rule of law. No interference is allowed.”
The state of Texas and the Department of Justice reach an agreement agreement This would allow government agencies to send monitors as long as they do not enter polling places.
Justice Department election observers must remain outside central counting locations and polling places, and observers will be subject to Texas election law if they are within 100 feet of such locations.
The Justice Department must also commit to not interfering with people trying to vote.
The caller contacted the Department of Justice, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
Mr. Paxton filed a lawsuit in September in Bexar County Commissioners Court seeking to block a program that mass mails voter registration applications to local residents. even if they are not eligible to vote. According to Go to press release.
