{"id":2329085,"date":"2024-08-22T10:24:59","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T14:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paxton-launches-election-fraud-investigations-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-22T10:32:22","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T14:32:22","slug":"paxton-launches-election-fraud-investigations-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/paxton-launches-election-fraud-investigations-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Paxton launches election fraud investigations &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpaxton-launches-election-fraud-investigations-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2329085&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The \u200bTexas Attorney General&#8217;s \u2064Election Integrity Unit has\u200d initiated several\u200c investigations regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-exclusive-accurate-list-of-2020-election-fraud-cases-shows-81-cases-total-30-still-active-and-not-one-single-court-has-allowed-evidence-to-be-argued\/\" title=\"BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Accurate List of 2020 Election Fraud Cases Shows 81 Cases Total, 30 Still Active \u2013 And NOT ONE SINGLE COURT Has Allowed Evidence to be Argued\">alleged <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-real-clear-politics-say-they-never-called-pennsylvania\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Real Clear Politics -- SAY THEY NEVER CALLED PENNSYLVANIA\">election fraud<\/a><\/a>. One major case, ongoing since 2022, involves multiple search \u200cwarrants executed in Atascosa, Bexar, and\u2062 Frio counties \u200dfollowing a referral from District Attorney\u2064 Audrey Louis about vote harvesting during the\u200d 2022 elections. Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the importance of secure elections and \u2063the commitment to holding \u2062accountable those who commit election \u200bcrimes. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the unit is probing organizations in Texas that may be\u2063 unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote. Investigators have conducted undercover operations and identified various nonprofits attempting to register individuals outside Texas Department of Public \u2062Safety (DPS) offices. Paxton expressed concern that \u200dthis\u200d could \u200dindicate\u2064 illegal registration practices, questioning the motives \u200cof these organizations given that eligible citizens can register at DPS locations during routine transactions. The investigations highlight ongoing efforts to\u2062 maintain the integrity of elections in Texas.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Paxton launches election fraud investigations<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1735567\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; The Office of the Texas Attorney General&rsquo;s Election Integrity Unit has launched several election fraud investigations.<\/p>\n<p>In one investigation, which has been ongoing since 2022, the OAG&rsquo;s Criminal Investigation Division executed multiple search warrants on Tuesday in Atascosa, Bexar and Frio counties.<\/p>\n<p>The investigation launched after the office received a referral from 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Louis regarding allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting that occurred during the 2022 elections.<\/p>\n<p>After gathering evidence, the office obtained search warrants to further the investigation. No other details are available since the investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Secure elections are the cornerstone of our republic,&rdquo; Attorney General Ken Paxton said. &ldquo;We were glad to assist when the District Attorney referred this case to my office for investigation. We are completely committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every legal vote. This means ensuring accountability for anyone committing election crimes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Constitution&rsquo;s separation of powers clause prohibits the OAG from independently and unilaterally initiating prosecution of alleged election fraud because it is part of the executive, not judicial, branch. The OAG can only investigate and prosecute alleged election fraud or any other crime after county or district attorneys request it to.<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, the OAG Election Integrity Unit also launched an investigation into organizations operating in Texas that &ldquo;may be unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote in violation of state and federal law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Investigators recently conducted undercover operations in metropolitan areas to identify if noncitizens were being registered to vote. They have &ldquo;already confirmed that various nonprofit organizations&rdquo; have set up booths outside of Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License offices in an attempt to register to vote those arriving at DPS facilities, the OAG said.<\/p>\n<p>All U.S. citizens are given an opportunity to register to vote when they renew their driver&rsquo;s license or are issued an identification card, &ldquo;so there is no obvious need to assist citizens to register to vote outside DPS offices &ndash; calling into question the motives of the nonprofit groups,&rdquo; Paxton said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;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?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The OAG Election Integrity Unit is investigating every credible report it receives about potential criminal activity &ldquo;that could compromise the integrity of our elections,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>He also reiterated what other Republicans in Congress and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/red-state-ags-sue-biden-over-obama-era-immigration-program-terminated-by-trump\/\" title=\"Red State AGs Sue Biden Over Obama-Era Immigration Program Terminated By Trump\">fellow attorneys general<\/a> have warned about: &ldquo;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.<\/p>\n<p>The OAG also issued a reminder about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-attorney-phil-kline-and-it-expert-j-r-carlson-presser-wednesday-exposing-mark-zuckerbergs-dark-money-cash-for-chaos\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Attorney Phil Kline and IT Expert J.R. Carlson Presser Wednesday Exposing Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s Dark Money Cash for Chaos\">state election law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is a crime in Texas to lie about your citizenship when you register to vote &ndash; or to help someone else do so,&rdquo; it says. Those who do can receive a sentence of up to 180 days in a state jail and up to $10,000 in fines.<\/p>\n<p>It is a crime to vote in Texas if the voter is not a U.S. citizen and a Texas resident. Helping someone to vote in Texas who is neither a citizen nor a Texas resident is also a crime that comes with a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1735567\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1735567\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Paxton Initiates Investigations into Election Fraud (The Center Square) \u2013 The Texas Attorney General&#8217;s Election Integrity Unit has begun several investigations into election fraud. One ongoing investigation, which started in 2022, saw the OAG\u2019s Criminal Investigation Division carry out multiple search warrants on Tuesday across Atascosa, Bexar, and Frio counties. This inquiry was prompted by a referral from 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Louis concerning allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting during the 2022 elections. Following evidence collection, the office secured search warrants to advance their investigation. Details remain limited as the inquiry is still active. &#8220;Secure elections are fundamental to our republic,&#8221; stated Attorney General Ken Paxton. &#8220;We were pleased to assist when the District Attorney referred this case for our investigation. We are fully dedicated to safeguarding ballot box security and ensuring every legitimate vote is counted, which includes holding accountable those who commit election-related crimes.&#8221; According to Texas Constitution&#8217;s separation of powers clause, the OAG cannot independently initiate prosecutions for alleged election fraud since it falls under the executive branch rather than judicial authority; they can only act upon requests from county or district attorneys. Additionally, on Wednesday, the OAG Election Integrity Unit began investigating organizations in Texas that may be unlawfully registering noncitizens to vote in violation of state and federal laws. Recent undercover operations in urban areas aimed at determining whether noncitizens were being registered revealed that various nonprofit organizations had set up booths outside Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License offices attempting to register voters among those visiting these facilities. The OAG noted that all U.S citizens have an opportunity to register when renewing their driver\u2019s licenses or obtaining identification cards; thus there seems little need for assistance outside DPS offices\u2014raising questions about these nonprofits&#8217; intentions according to Paxton&#8217;s remarks: &#8220;Texans are rightly concerned about organizations claiming to help with voter registration while potentially registering noncitizens illegally.&#8221; He questioned why eligible citizens would require additional opportunities for registration if they could do so at DPS offices already. The OAG Election Integrity Unit is committed to investigating all credible reports regarding potential criminal activities that might undermine electoral integrity while echoing concerns raised by other Republicans regarding immigration policies: \u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration has deliberately increased illegal immigration levels which could allow foreign nationals improper influence over local, state and national elections.\u201d Furthermore, a reminder was issued regarding state election laws: \u201cIn Texas it is illegal to falsely claim citizenship when registering or assisting someone else in doing so,\u201d with penalties including up-to-180 days imprisonment and fines reaching $10k possible for offenders; voting without U.S citizenship or residency also carries severe consequences including sentences up-to-20 years imprisonment along with similar financial penalties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2329086,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AP24089637868935-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[32360,8327,4133,18466,32076],"class_list":["post-2329085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-election-fraud","tag-investigations","tag-news","tag-paxton","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AP24089637868935-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2329085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2329085"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2329085\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2329086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2329085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2329085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2329085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}