Texans Urge State to Repair Voter Registration System
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, on behalf of disenfranchised voters, takes steps to enforce the “Motor Voter” law in Texas
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP has partnered with Battleground Texas to formally notify the State of Texas of its persistent failure to comply with voter registration requirements under Texas and federal law. Today’s notice letterasks the state to remedy these violations within 90 days.
Peter Kraus, a partner at Water & Kraus and attorney for the voters, commented that “the state is failing its obligation to register voters as required by law. As a result, thousands of Texans are being denied their right to vote. Our letter is an invitation to the state to come to the table to fix this problem.”
The National Voter Registration Act (“NVRA”), most commonly known for its “Motor Voter” provision, requires states to register voters when they obtain, renew, or update their drivers’ licenses. The NVRA authorizes individual voters to enforce the voter registration law. The first step is to notify the state of the violations, and if the violations are not corrected within 90 days, the voters may take the state to court to seek judicial intervention.
In 2014, Battleground Texas identified a pattern of complaints from Texans who attempted to register with the state’s Department of Public Safety, but were told at the polls that they were not properly registered. Battleground partnered with Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel to further investigate the matter, and together they uncovered systemic violations of the NVRA going back to at least 2012. Today’s letter asks the state to fix these problems and to comply with both federal and state voter registration laws.
“We are advocating on behalf of all Texas voters – regardless of political affiliation – for an efficient and effective registration process. We are hopeful that the Secretary of State will take quick action to remedy the violations outlined in the letter. In the event that he doesn’t, however, we are prepared to litigate to ensure all Texans can exercise their right to vote,” stated Mr. Kraus.
About Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP is a national plaintiffs’ law firm devoted to helping families in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving asbestos, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and birth defects and other injuries caused by toxic chemical exposure and semiconductor chip manufacturing. We also represent whistleblowers in False Claims Act lawsuits and other whistleblower matters. Our attorneys have won record-setting verdicts and negotiated monumental settlements. The firm continues to work on behalf of families to preserve access to courts to pursue cases involving toxic exposure and defective products. Based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in California and Maryland, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has participated in the representation of families from all fifty states and many foreign countries, as well as foreign governments.
