New voting machines are unpacked for inspection before being shelved.
New voting machines implemented in 2019 are unpacked for inspection before being stored at the Bexar County Elections Department. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an Election Integrity Unit in 2021. Credit: Bonnie Arbittier / San Antonio Report

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s ongoing crusade to find and prosecute election fraud has reached Bexar County.

His office said in a press release Wednesday that it executed multiple search warrants this week in Frio, Atascosa and Bexar counties related to “allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting” during the 2022 midterm.

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Paxton’s office maintains an Election Integrity Unit with its own dedicated lawyers, investigators and support staff to track down tips they receive about alleged voter fraud.

It prosecuted just four cases last year and spent most of its $2.3 million budget, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Paxton’s office said the Bexar County investigation was spurred by a referral from the 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Louis.

Two years of research into the case “provided sufficient evidence to obtain the search warrants in furtherance of the ongoing investigation,” Paxton’s office said in a statement.

“We were glad to assist when the District Attorney referred this case to my office for investigation,” Paxton said in a statement. “We are completely committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every legal vote. This means ensuring accountability for anyone committing election crimes.”

Andrea Drusch writes about local government for the San Antonio Report. She's covered politics in Washington, D.C., and Texas for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, National Journal and Politico.