Federal officials have agreed to meet with Democrat representatives in North Texas over claims that elected Republicans are threatening minorities’ voting rights.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D–Fort Worth) sent a letter in May asking the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a federal investigation into actions by Tarrant County’s recently elected county judge and district attorney, both Republicans.
The letter, co-signed by six other Democrats representing Tarrant County, cites concerns over county officials’ creation of a local election integrity task force in February and the resignation of the county’s elections administrator, Heider Garcia, in April.
Veasey said Tuesday he now has “the commitment” of DOJ officials to meet with him, Tarrant County Commissioners Roy Brooks and Alisa Simmons, and other Democrats who signed the request: State Reps. Salman Bohjani (Euless), Nicole Collier (Fort Worth), Chris Turner (Grand Prairie), and Ramon Romero (Fort Worth).
“As elected officials representing districts that are predominantly communities of color in Tarrant County, we are deeply concerned that recent actions by Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and other county officials will further diminish the voting rights of those we represent and undermine their ability to freely and effectively participate in elections,” the Democrats wrote.
Veasey’s letter also mentions the Tarrant-based conservative activist group True Texas Project multiple times.
“I find it interesting that whenever election integrity and enforcement of election laws are mentioned, the Democrats immediately shout voter suppression and racism,” True Texas Project President Fran Rhodes told Texas Scorecard.
“And this time, they went running to the Democrat administration’s DOJ to investigate,” she said, comparing the move to liberal education groups asking the Justice Department to investigate dissatisfied parents as domestic terrorists.
“There is nothing wrong with expecting election laws to be enforced and investigating and prosecuting those who violate the law,” Rhodes added.
“It’s funny the Democrats are in such an uproar. They can’t point to one example of voter suppression!” said True Texas Project CEO Julie McCarty.
Look at the facts: More registered voters in Tarrant than ever, higher turnout than ever in the last two presidential elections, two weeks of early voting, access to voting from the car if needed, and over 300 voting locations—which is more than one for every three square miles! What more do they need?
“The real question is, Why are they so concerned about an Election Integrity Unit? I can only assume it’s because it thwarts their plans to cheat,” McCarty said.
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