Our elections just got a new watchdog with some serious teeth. On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed a groundbreaking bill, SB 11, granting the Office of Attorney General (OAG) the power to step in and prosecute election crimes when local authorities drag their feet. This is a bold move for a state that’s had enough of bureaucratic dawdling on something as sacred as the ballot box.
Just The News reported that SB 11, pushed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler, allows the attorney general to take over election fraud cases if no local action starts within six months, a direct response to concerns about lax enforcement.
This isn’t just some random idea tossed into the legislative hopper. It’s a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who’ve been sounding the alarm on election integrity for years.
Their frustration with certain local prosecutors—seen as soft on fraud—has finally boiled over into action.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick didn’t mince words on this issue, declaring, “Texans know that election integrity is of utmost importance.”
Well, no argument there—most folks would agree that a fair vote is the bedrock of democracy. But when local district attorneys refuse to act, as Patrick suggests, it’s hard not to see this bill as a necessary, if overdue, slap on the wrist.
Patrick also stated, “The bill gives the attorney general the ultimate authority.” That’s a hefty claim, and while it sounds like a silver bullet, one wonders if this power shift might ruffle feathers among local officials who value their autonomy. Still, when election crimes go unpunished, something’s got to give.
Historically, the OAG’s hands have been tied on this front. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the attorney general, being part of the executive branch, can’t independently start prosecutions without a nod from county prosecutors, thanks to the state’s separation of powers clause. SB 11 aims to rewrite that script entirely.
Under current law, as clarified by the court, the OAG can only investigate and prosecute election fraud if invited by local district or county attorneys.
The State Election Code doesn’t mandate the OAG to take the lead, either. SB 11 flips this, giving the attorney general a six-month window to act if locals stall.
Moreover, the bill mandates that local law enforcement must report probable cause of election crimes to both their prosecuting attorneys and the OAG.
They’re also required to hand over all investigative details to the OAG upon request. This isn’t just a power grab—it’s a call for accountability across the board.
Let’s look at a real-world example of why this matters. In Frio County, six officials, including the county judge, were indicted and arrested for election fraud tied to a vote-harvesting scheme after a three-year probe by the local DA and the OAG’s Election Integrity Unit. With 15 total arrests reported by July 2025, this case shows the stakes are high.
That Frio County investigation didn’t stop at arrests—it extended across multiple counties. Last August, the OAG’s Election Integrity Unit executed search warrants in Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar counties to dig deeper into the mess. It’s a stark reminder that election crimes aren’t just theoretical; they’re happening in our backyard.
Then there’s the issue of voter registration shenanigans. In 2024, the OAG launched probes into organizations suspected of registering noncitizens to vote, even setting up undercover operations in metro areas.
They found nonprofits outside Texas Department of Public Safety offices registering folks without verifying citizenship—a glaring loophole if there ever was one.
This isn’t about pointing fingers at any group; it’s about protecting a system that’s already under enough strain. The OAG’s findings on these registration booths raise legitimate questions about oversight and enforcement. If SB 11 can help close these gaps, it’s a step worth taking.
For those worried about election shadiness, the OAG has even set up an email tipline—illegalvoting@oag.texas.gov—for reporting suspected violations. It’s a small but practical tool for everyday Texans to play a role in safeguarding their votes. After all, democracy isn’t just for the suits in Austin to figure out.
At the end of the day, SB 11 is about ensuring no election crime slips through the cracks, whether due to negligence or ideological blind spots.
Texas has always prided itself on standing firm for what’s right, and with election integrity on the line, this bill sends a clear message: we’re watching, and we mean business. Let’s hope the House follows suit and gets this across the finish line.