Court records or official announcements from Ken Paxton's office

DOJ Keeps Monitors Outside Texas Polls After Paxton's Lawsuit; Judges Deny Block Attempt

Nov 5, 2024, 08:50 AM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced plans to send election monitors to 86 counties across 27 states, including eight counties in Texas, to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws during the election—a move that surpasses monitoring efforts in recent elections. Texas officials, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, opposed the move, arguing that federal election monitors are not allowed inside polling places under state law. Paxton filed a lawsuit against the DOJ to prevent federal monitors from entering polling sites in Texas, stating, "Texas will not be intimidated, and I will make every effort to prevent weaponized federal agencies from interfering in our elections." Similarly, Missouri officials attempted to block federal monitors but were denied by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Pitlyk, who noted that the DOJ's election monitoring is a long-standing practice under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Federal judges also denied Texas's request to block the DOJ from sending election monitors. However, the DOJ agreed not to send monitors inside polling locations in Texas; instead, they will remain outside and at least 100 feet away from polling sites. Paxton declared this a victory, stating that the DOJ had backed down from its plan to monitor inside Texas polling places.