Ken Paxton wants more power to prosecute election crimes. These bills in the Texas Legislature would give it to him.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gave a speech in the Senate chamber during his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 10, 2023. Two bills being considered by the Legislature would expand his powers to prosecute election crimes. (Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune)

This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. The article is available for reprint under the terms of Votebeat’s republishing policy.

Two bills filed in the Texas House of Representatives seek to expand the Texas attorney general’s power to prosecute election crimes. One allows the office to appoint special prosecutors to such cases, while the other empowers the office to penalize local prosecutors who “limit election law enforcement.”