Dallas-area Democrats are demanding an investigation into Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for illegal voting. This follows reporting by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune revealing that Paxton has repeatedly voted while registered at an address in Collin County, Texas, where he appears to no longer live.

On Tuesday, July 16th, 2026, the Collin County Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Texas secretary of state requesting an investigation into whether Paxton committed election fraud by voting in the May primary runoff. Paxton secured the Republican Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate by defeating longtime incumbent John Cornyn in that race.

Mary Higbe, vice chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, highlighted in the complaint that Paxton’s office had warned voters as recently as February that “it is illegal to misrepresent your residence on election records.” She criticized Paxton’s actions, stating, “For someone who’s made a stand against voter fraud, it’s unconscionable (yet not surprising) that Paxton engages in this behavior.”

ProPublica and The Texas Tribune reported that Paxton voted six times over the past two years while registered at a Collin County address where he previously lived with his wife, state Senator Angela Paxton. According to a divorce filing by his wife and a source close to the family, Paxton moved out of the Collin County home in June 2024 and has not returned.

Under Texas law, the secretary of state conducts an initial review of such complaints and, if appropriate, refers them to the Office of the Attorney General. Alicia Pierce, spokesperson for Secretary of State Jane Nelson, explained this process, noting Nelson’s last day in office is Friday.

Given the conflict of interest inherent in investigating himself, election lawyer Joaquin Gonzalez, formerly of the Texas Civil Rights Project, stated that Paxton should seek outside help for the investigation.

Higbe expressed that the complaint tests Texas’ system of checks and balances, calling it “an opportunity to see if that system still works.” However, she expressed skepticism that Paxton would allow a fair investigation into his own conduct.

Sources