Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken decisive legal action against the Jolt Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Latino participation in civic engagement. Paxton’s lawsuit accuses Jolt of registering illegal immigrants to vote, claiming the group is undermining the integrity of Texas elections. In court filings, Paxton’s office states that Jolt is “systematically subverting the election process” by directing individuals to submit falsified or otherwise unlawful voter registration applications.
Paxton articulated his stance firmly, maintaining, “The left constantly tries to cheat and rig elections because they know they can’t win honestly.” He characterized Jolt as a “radical, partisan operation” intent on corrupting the state’s voter rolls and diluting the voice of legitimate Texas voters. He vowed to ensure that Jolt faces severe legal repercussions.
The lawsuit seeks to dissolve Jolt’s charter and revoke its ability to operate in Texas, marking a significant escalation in the legal tussle. Responding swiftly, Jolt has counter-sued Paxton, filing for a preliminary injunction. The organization asserts that the attorney general’s suit is motivated by retaliation against Jolt’s lawful activities, particularly its voter registration drives and challenges to previous demands from Paxton’s office.
Jackie Bastard, Jolt’s executive director, slammed Paxton’s actions as a direct attempt to suppress Latino voter participation. She stated, “Let the record show that the Texas Attorney General is using the power of his office to silence Latino voters.” Bastard contends that the lawsuit represents a form of retaliatory strategy aimed at stifling their First Amendment rights.
Paxton’s investigation into Jolt and similar organizations revealed that Jolt members allegedly operated out of Texas Department of Motor Vehicles locations, giving advice that purportedly violated the Texas Election Code. The attorney general claims that Jolt encouraged individuals to submit unlawful voter registrations, including those lacking proper identification. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that Jolt has failed to verify the eligibility of voter registration applicants and has induced people to make false statements in their applications.
In response to these actions, Jolt insists that the lawsuit is an attempt by Paxton to suppress the voices of young Latinos in Texas. Maria Tolentino, Jolt’s director of programs, emphasized, “We refuse to be bullied,” advocating for intervention from a federal court to safeguard their rights to free speech, association, and civic engagement.
This legal showdown highlights a rising tension over election integrity and voter participation in Texas. An investigation last year led by Paxton found over 2,700 potential illegal immigrants on the state’s voter rolls, amplifying concerns over election security and prompting eligibility reviews across the state’s 254 counties. The outcomes of this lawsuit will likely resonate far beyond the legal battleground, influencing discussions about representation and electoral integrity in Texas.
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