Ken Paxton Sues JOLT Initiative Over Alleged Illegal Voter Registration Scheme

Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced a lawsuit against JOLT Initiative, INC., accusing the group of orchestrating an "unlawful voter registration scheme" that he claims threatens the integrity of Texas elections.

Paxton's office alleges that JOLT operatives violated the Texas Election Code by stationing volunteers outside Department of Motor Vehicles locations to solicit and assist individuals in submitting improper voter registration forms.

The lawsuit asserts that the group's actions could enable noncitizens to register and vote illegally.

"The left constantly tries to cheat and rig elections because they know they can't win honestly," Paxton said in a statement. "JOLT is a radical, partisan operation that has, and continues to, knowingly attempt to corrupt our voter rolls and weaken the voice of lawful Texas voters."

The Attorney General's Office said it will seek the forfeiture of JOLT's corporate privileges, dissolution of its charter, and recovery of legal costs on behalf of the state.

In response, JOLT called the lawsuit "an unprecedented abuse of power" and filed a motion seeking to dismiss or transfer the case to Houston, where the group is based.

"The Attorney General is abusing his authority by using the state's legal tool of dissolution, an extreme measure, against Jolt simply because we are effective at registering Latino voters," said Jolt Executive Director Jackie Bastard.

Jolt's attorneys argue that the lawsuit is political retaliation for the group's First Amendment-protected voter registration efforts.

"This action is part of the AG's larger efforts to bully civic engagement organizations," said attorney Mimi Marziani. "The AG's claims are based on allegations already disproved by the plain language of election law."

The organization says Volunteer Deputy Registrars are legally required to accept all completed forms and that the state alone verifies eligibility.

The battle between Paxton and JOLT underscores the growing tension in Texas over voting rights, election integrity, and the role of grassroots civic groups in shaping the state's political future.