Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) may have violated state election law by voting in a precinct where he does not reside [1].
The allegation creates a stark contradiction for Paxton, who has built a political identity around crusading against voter fraud and is currently a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
According to a report from ProPublica, Paxton allegedly cast ballots in a district where he lacks a legal residence during the 2022 and 2026 election cycles [1]. The investigation suggests that the official who has sworn to uphold election integrity may have broken the very laws he champions [1].
"Our investigation found that Paxton voted in a precinct where he does not reside, potentially violating Texas election law," the ProPublica investigative team said.
Paxton has spent years promoting claims of widespread election fraud. These claims have been a centerpiece of his public platform and legal actions as the state's top lawyer. Katy Tur of MSNBC said that Paxton has spent years spreading false claims about election fraud and has sworn to fight it.
The report highlights a period of two years where these alleged voting irregularities occurred [1]. Under Texas law, voters must be registered and vote in the precinct corresponding to their legal residence.
As a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Paxton's adherence to election laws is under increased scrutiny. The findings raise questions about whether the Attorney General's office will investigate these claims, or if the legal standard he applies to others will be applied to his own voting history.
“Paxton may have violated state election law by voting in a precinct where he does not reside.”
This development places Ken Paxton in a legal and political paradox. By championing aggressive prosecutions of voter fraud, he has set a high standard for election compliance in Texas; any proven violation of residency requirements for voting could undermine his credibility as a Senate candidate and his standing as the state's chief law enforcement officer.
