Texas Democrat Cries Foul at GOP Registering Voters at Driver's License Offices

AUSTIN -- A conservative political action committee set up shop outside of the entrance of the Department of Public Safety driver's license offices in Tarrant County this week, drawing the ire of Grand Prairie Democrat Rep. Chris Turner. In a letter he wrote to DPS Director Steve McCraw on Tuesday, he noted that he visited two driver's license offices in Tarrant County where he witnessed workers targeting Republican voters while people waited in long lines. "Specifically, individuals were engaging DPS customers directly in front of the doors to the offices and asking them if they would sign a petition to 'ban late-term abortion,'" Turner described in his letter. "The petition was actually a form on an electronic tablet, prompting the customer to fill out their name, address, email and phone number, as well as answer some survey questions. If a person signed the petition, they are then asked if they are registered to vote." He said the people collecting signatures were working with "Engage Texas" a conservative PAC, who assured him they had permission from DPS to conduct their business on site. "It is inappropriate for such a political organization to be allowed to utilize state property for campaign activity," he wrote. "The taxpayers of Texas have a right to expect that their hard-earned dollars are not subsidizing political activity, as is the case here."In an interview, Turner acknowledged that the workers were not likely breaking any specified law that he was aware of. But he stressed that it was, nonetheless, inappropriate and wants to know what policies are in place at DPS governing such activity.  Continue reading...