FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2024
Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Today, the Texas Attorney General announced the implementation of an “Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team” in “major counties” in order to enforce election laws. Subsequently, the Attorney General’s office announced that it was suing the Biden Administration over “unlawful use of DOJ personnel.” This follows a decision on Friday by the Texas Secretary of State to reject federal poll monitors from the Department of Justice in various Texas counties.
In a statement on Saturday, the Texas Civil Rights Project condemned the Secretary of State’s decision, saying that the rejection of federal poll monitors undermines our democracy.
In response to the announcement, Rochelle Garza (she/her), President of the Texas Civil Rights Project, issued the following statement:
“Public trust in our electoral system is critical to upholding our democracy. By rejecting federal monitors, deploying a so-called ‘election rapid response legal team,’ and now filing a baseless lawsuit against the federal government, Texas state officials are undermining the transparency and accountability that voters deserve. Their actions go beyond political theater – they are attempting to erode public trust in our elections. Voters should know our vote will count – it is our voice. TCRP will continue to fight for Texas voters, in and outside of the courts.”
This tactic mirrors efforts by the Attorney General in 2022. Then, TCRP and 45 coalition partners formally requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) deploy federal observers to monitor the 2022 midterm elections in Harris County, Texas after a concerning letter from the Texas Secretary of State's office to the Harris County Elections Administrator announced the Secretary of State and Attorney General's decision to send election inspectors and a “legal task force” to Harris County during the midterm election.
The Texas Civil Rights Project continues to stand firmly with Texans to protect their right to vote and will ensure that Texas elections are safe and secure for all. If voters encounter issues at the polls, they can contact the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Election Protection program at 866-OUR-VOTE.
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The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas, and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice and without fear.
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