Texas AG Probes Reports of Noncitizens Registering to Vote

(AP)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he is launching an investigation into reports that noncitizens are illegally being registered to vote.

In a statement, the Republican said, “Texans are deeply troubled by the possibility that organizations purporting to assist with voter registration are illegally registering noncitizens to vote in our elections,” and that his office is “investigating every credible report we receive regarding potential criminal activity that could compromise the integrity of our elections.”

“It is a crime to vote — or to register to vote — if you are not a United States Citizen,” Paxton said in his statement.

In Texas, lying about being a U.S. citizen when registering to vote or helping someone to do so is a crime carrying a sentence of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to a $10,000, according to Paxton’s office.

Additionally, it’s a crime in Texas for someone who is not a U.S. citizen and a state resident to vote or to help someone vote who is not a U.S. citizen and a state resident. That crime carries a sentencee of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, his office said.