Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully prevented the Biden-Harris administration from deploying federal agents inside polling places or vote count locations within Texas during the 2024 election.
The decision comes just days after Paxton filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Justice’s plan to send federal agents labeled as “monitors” to Texas.
The initial dispute began on Nov. 1, when the DOJ announced it would send personnel to eight counties in Texas, including Atascosa, Bexar, Dallas, Frio, Harris, Hays, Palo Pinto and Waller, to monitor the election process, according to a press release from Paxton’s office. The use of federal monitors at these locations was allegedly part of a broader initiative to ensure fair elections across the country.
However, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson quickly responded by informing the DOJ that federal monitors were prohibited from entering polling places and counting stations under state law.
In response, Paxton also filed a lawsuit on Nov. 4, arguing that there is no federal statute authorizing the DOJ to send agents into election locations when state law explicitly forbids them from doing so. The lawsuit also sought a temporary restraining order to prevent any other types of federal interference.
Just hours after the lawsuit was filed, the DOJ agreed to comply with Texas law and cease any plans to send federal personnel into polling places or central counting stations. Under the terms of the agreement, DOJ monitors will remain outside certain restricted zones, respecting a 100-foot buffer around polling locations that is outlined in state law.
The Attorney General’s Office called the agreement a major victory for Texas.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s lawless intimidation campaign infringes on States’ constitutional authority to run free and fair elections. Texas will not be intimidated and I will make every effort to prevent weaponized federal agencies from interfering in our elections,” Paxton said.
Additionally, a federal judge also issued an order confirming that no federal agents will be present at Texas polling places or counting centers during the election.
