AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – The State of Texas has a new 2021 Election Integrity Unit.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the formation of his new unit Monday, October 18.
He said it’s a “concentrated effort to devote agency lawyers, investigators, support staff, and resources to ensuring this local election season is run transparently and securely.”
The Integrity Unit will also monitor a public email address, [email protected], that tipsters can send information about alleged violations of the Texas Election Code.
Paxton leads the Election Integrity Division year round but said the new unit will be tasked with overseeing the 2021 election season.
Paxton’s office said since he took office in 2015, the embattled AG has resolved 286 prosecutions of Texas Election Code criminal offenses against 76 defendants.
He’s currently prosecuting over 500 felony election fraud offenses in Texas courts.
The news of the EIU comes as Paxton awaits a trial on securities fraud charges and an investigation into allegations of abuse of power and bribery from within his own office.
The announcement also comes on the same day early voting begins statewide for the November 2 election.
In addition to some local bond issues in DFW, voters will cast ballots to decide on eight amendments to the Texas Constitution.
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