Commentaries at the San Antonio Report provide space for our community to share perspectives and offer solutions to pressing local issues. The views expressed in this commentary belong to the author alone.
In Texas, we pride ourselves on our independent spirit — especially when it comes to our right to vote. Voting is a cornerstone of American democracy and a direct way we show our commitment to it. Yet, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is pushing for stricter voting rules that make it harder for Texans to cast their ballots.
These include proposals such as limiting mail-in voting, requiring stricter voter ID measures and increasing penalties for voter fraud, despite limited evidence of widespread fraud in Texas. These rules have raised concerns about limiting access to the ballot, particularly for marginalized communities.
Let’s be blunt: these new regulations aren’t about safeguarding elections; they’re about silencing voices and restricting access, particularly targeting specific groups within our Texas communities. The latest target is Latinos, with Paxton launching a direct assault on the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the U.S., dedicated to increasing education and promoting civic engagement.
With Latinos now making up 40.2% of the Texas population, it’s clear that Paxton’s fear is rooted in the possibility of increased Latino voter turnout. His actions seem designed to intimidate and suppress.
No matter the motivation or the group targeted, silencing votes is fundamentally un-American and should be met with resistance. As citizens, we have both the right and the responsibility to defend our voting rights and those of our neighbors. With the Oct. 7 deadline to register to vote approaching fast, now is the time to act. This is our chance to ensure that every eligible Texan has a voice in our elections.
Paxton argues these new restrictions are necessary to prevent voter fraud, but voter fraud in Texas is almost nonexistent. Out of millions of votes, only a minuscule number have been fraudulent. His narrative is a fear tactic designed to suppress Latinos and other marginalized communities. Simply put, Paxton’s actions are a form of voter suppression.
Low voter turnout has long plagued Texas. According to the Texas Secretary of State, voter participation among registered voters is consistently low. In the 2024 March Republican primary, only about 12.9% of registered voters participated, with the Democratic Primary even lower at about 5.5%. The November 2023 Constitutional Election had a turnout of 14.4%, and in the 2022 November Gubernatorial Election, it was just under 46%. Even in the high-profile 2020 Presidential Election, turnout was only 66.7%.
These figures highlight a troubling trend: despite the importance of these elections, many Texans either can’t or choose not to vote. This underlines the need for our attorney general to focus on increasing voter participation rather than creating barriers.
Sadly, voter suppression isn’t new. I remember urging my grandmother to register when I was young, only to hear her say she couldn’t due to the poll tax — even though it had been abolished decades earlier. The impact of suppression lingers long after laws change, reinforcing the message that voting isn’t for people like us.
Paxton’s proposed rules are today’s version of the poll tax, targeting those who already face the most significant voting challenges. Communities of color, rural Texans, low-income individuals, the elderly and those with special needs will be hardest hit. For them, voting by mail is often essential.
These restrictions will only make voting harder for those who need easier access the most. Elderly voters who can’t drive to polling places depend on mail-in ballots. Texans with special needs face physical barriers to voting. And communities of color, historically disenfranchised, are being pushed further out of the process.
When voting becomes more difficult, fewer people participate. Fewer voters mean our government stops reflecting the needs of all Texans and caters to a more privileged few. This isn’t just bad policy; it’s bad for democracy.
I applaud the Bexar County Commissioners Court for its bold decision to engage unregistered voters by mailing voter registration applications. This proactive approach is exactly what we need more of. State District Judge Antonia Arteaga’s decision to closely follow the law and deny Paxton’s request for a restraining order against the county’s initiative is a strong stand against voter suppression.
The Oct. 7 registration deadline is a critical moment. We must ensure we’re registered and that our communities are prepared to vote, rather than letting these new barriers block us.
The courts will decide if Paxton’s rules will stand, but we can’t wait idly. We have the power to act now: check your voter registration status, register to vote if you haven’t, and ensure your friends and family do the same. Contact your local elected officials and demand they protect our right to vote. Use every avenue available — calls, emails, social media tags — to make your voice heard.
This is about more than just a deadline; it’s about defending our right to shape Texas’ future. Will we let voter suppression take hold, or will we step up, register, and make our voices count? The choice is clear. Let’s register to vote before Oct. 7 and ensure Texas remains a place where everyone’s voice matters.
