A Latino voting rights group is urging a federal investigation after volunteers reported that Texas authorities conducted raids on their homes, seizing phones and computers. These actions are part of an investigation led by the state's Republican Attorney General, Ken Paxton, into allegations of voter fraud during the 2022 election. The Attorney General's office confirmed the searches, which followed a referral from a local prosecutor regarding claims of election fraud and vote harvesting. However, no charges have been filed against those targeted in the raids.
Among those affected is an 80-year-old woman whose home was searched for two hours, during which agents took her medicine, smartphone, and watch. The raids prompted protests outside the Attorney General's office in San Antonio, where volunteers expressed concerns about voter suppression. Roman Palomares, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), vowed to investigate the matter, stating, "We feel like our votes are being suppressed. We're going to get to the bottom of it."
The investigation falls under Paxton's Election Integrity Unit, but his office has not commented on the raids. The federal Justice Department also declined to comment. At least six members of the community, including Manuel Medina, a political consultant and former head of the Bexar County Democratic Party, had their homes searched. Medina, who is currently working on the campaign of Democratic state House candidate Cecilia Castellano, reported that agents seized documents, computers, and cell phones during the raid.
Volunteer Lidia Martinez, 80, also had her home searched by nine officers. She was questioned about her involvement with other members and expressed confusion over the reason for the search. The warrant authorized the seizure of any documents related to the election, as well as her devices. Martinez, who has only been involved in helping seniors, stated, "I'm not doing anything illegal."
Voter fraud is generally rare and occurs in isolated instances. An Associated Press investigation found fewer than 475 potential cases of voter fraud out of 25.5 million ballots cast in the 2020 presidential election.
Link: AP News
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