SAN ANTONIO – A hearing scheduled for Monday in San Antonio civil district court will likely determine the fate of a targeted voter registration program recently approved by county commissioners.
In a 3-1 vote on Sept. 3, commissioners agreed to award a $393,000 contract to Civic Government Solutions (CGS), a company that sends potential voters prefilled registration forms to encourage participation in the election process.
CGS claims that around 20% of unique recipients of these mailers registered to vote in the 2020 general election, with an impressive 85% voter turnout among those who registered, according to their website.
However, critics of the contract allege that CGS has ties to progressive entities, prompting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to file a lawsuit against Bexar County to stop the program.
Paxton argued that the mass mailing of unsolicited voter registration forms is not within the Election Code’s provisions, and he sought emergency injunctive relief to halt the program.
Despite the controversy, Bexar County officials maintain that CGS’s efforts are non-partisan and aimed at promoting voter engagement without bias.
The ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring fair access to voter registration ahead of the upcoming elections.
As the November general election deadline approaches, the outcome of the court’s ruling on the temporary restraining order will have significant implications for voter outreach efforts in Texas.
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