“What we witnessed during Tuesday’s primary in Texas was not confusion – it was targeted voter suppression, plain and simple. Attorney General Ken Paxton went out of his way to challenge Dallas County’s decision to extend polling hours, while ignoring similar actions in other counties. Dallas County is home to one of the state’s largest Black populations, and a stronghold for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. It’s no coincidence that Paxton singled out this county and made a deliberate choice to undermine Black voters’ voices.
Let’s be clear: Paxton’s actions as a sitting Attorney General impacted the Democratic primary, despite him being a Republican candidate. This is a deeply unethical move and is consistent with the same pattern of behavior that led to his impeachment in 2023. When those in power pick and choose when and where to enforce the “rules”, especially in ways that disproportionately hurt Black voters, it’s not just bad governance – it’s a direct attack on democracy.
This is also further evidence of why state Supreme Courts matter. In true white supremacist fashion, the overwhelmingly Republican Court upheld the good ole boy’s playbook and suppressed the votes of Black voters in Dallas County again.
We have to remind our people that we must fight like hell to protect our vote in the midterms. The only way we win is if every single one of us shows up and refuses to be silenced.“