Texas investigates reports of noncitizens being illegally registered to vote

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Wednesday that he has opened an investigation into reports that groups in the state may be registering noncitizens to vote in violation of both state and federal laws.

Investigators with the Texas Attorney General’s Election Integrity Unit conducted undercover operations to identify potential voter registration of noncitizens in the state, with the investigation already confirming "that various nonprofit organizations have been located outside Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License offices, operating booths offering to assist in voter registration for persons doing business at the driver’s license offices," a press release from Paxton’s office stated. These undercover operations are ongoing.

The press release noted that "all citizens have already been presented an opportunity to register to vote as part of the process of renewing or being issued an identification card or driver’s license, so there is no obvious need to assist citizens to register to vote outside DPS offices—calling into question the motives of the nonprofit groups."

Paxton said in a statement, "Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections. If eligible citizens can legally register to vote when conducting their business at a DPS office, why would they need a second opportunity to register with a booth outside?"

"My office is investigating every credible report we receive regarding potential criminal activity that could compromise the integrity of our elections. The Biden-Harris Administration has intentionally flooded our country with illegal aliens, and without proper safeguards, foreign nationals can illegally influence elections at the local, state, and national level. It is a crime to vote—or to register to vote—if you are not a United States Citizen. Any wrongdoing will be punished to the fullest extent of the law," he added.

Lying about citizenship when registering to vote can carry a sentence of up to two years in state jail and up to $10,000 in fines. Voting in the state if not a citizen of the US carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.