Texas lawmakers face scrutiny over residency and voting address disputes

Several outlets found that Rep. James Talarico continued to vote using his parents' address after purchasing a home in north Austin, only updating his registration in September 2024. Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has built a platform on cracking down on voter fraud, is alleged to have voted from a Collin County residence he has not lived in, according to his estranged wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton.

Both officials have resisted detailed inquiries, with Talarico's campaign citing safety threats and Paxton's office labeling Talarico's actions as illegal. Texas law requires voters to register where they actually live, but courts have ruled that determining residency can be complex and requires evidence of intentional misconduct. Ethics attorney Andrew Cates expressed skepticism that either politician committed fraud, though he warned that Paxton should be held to a higher standard as the state's chief law enforcer. The dispute underscores the broader debate over voting-address rules and the political fallout from accusations of hypocrisy.