Texas Deploys Election Day Legal Teams, Judge Denies Request to Block DOJ Poll Monitors

The teams are ready to deal with “issues seen in previous cycles,” such as extended polling location closures, ballot shortages, and improper extension of voting hours, according to Paxton’s office.

“Similarly, the OAG will prepare to take defensive action against activist groups who might attempt to influence the election through litigation,” Paxton’s office said in its statement. “The Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will coordinate with the Texas Secretary of State to ensure that all issues are addressed immediately, and that Texas elections are fair and secure.”

Paxton said the deployment of the teams is also to ensure the election process runs smoothly and without interference.

“There is no issue more important and more fundamental to our nation than election integrity,” he said. “Our Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team will be on the frontline on November 5th. We will defend the ballot box from any bad actors seeking to unduly influence or illegally undermine Texas elections.”

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The lawsuit argued that “under Texas law, the list of persons who may be present in voting locations or central counting stations does not include federal authorities.”

A judge later rejected the bid by Texas officials to block the federal government from sending election monitors to the state.

Federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ordered the DOJ to confirm that “no observers” would be present in polling locations in Texas but did not issue the restraining order the state had requested.

“The Court cannot issue a temporary restraining order without further clarification on the distinction between ’monitoring‘ and ’observing’ on the eve of a consequential election,” Kacsmaryk said in the ruling.

The DOJ declined to comment on the lawsuits.

Reuters and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.