James Talarico, a Democratic Senate candidate in Texas, has been reported by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune to have voted in up to five elections using his parents’ address after purchasing a home nearby, a practice that may have violated state voting laws.

This development follows Talarico’s recent accusations against Attorney General Ken Paxton, his opponent in the race for U.S. Senate, alleging voter fraud. In July, news organizations reported that Paxton voted using an address linked to his estranged wife, a state senator.

Paxton has made combating voter fraud a key focus of his tenure, advocating for strict enforcement of laws against voters allegedly using false addresses. His campaign maintains he is a “lawful, registered Texas voter” but has declined to provide detailed information about his residency and voting history.

Talarico has criticized Paxton’s efforts, stating at a Houston campaign event, “Our Republican secretary of state here in Texas has already said that our elections are safe and secure. But as our state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton has gone on a voter fraud witch hunt.”

In response, Paxton issued a news release and social media statements accusing Talarico of breaking state law, citing conservative reports that the Democrat had not lived in the district for at least a year when elected to the Texas House in 2022.

Talarico announced in October 2021 that he would move back to his hometown area after Republicans redrew his Texas House district to favor their party. On the day of his move, he rented a 10-foot U-Haul moving truck for six hours, according to a receipt screenshot.

The reports highlight ongoing disputes over residency and voter registration in Texas politics, with both candidates facing questions about their voting addresses in different counties including Collin, Denton, and Travis.

Sources