Texas Sues Harris County to Halt Targeted Get-Out-the-Vote Social Media Ads

The Texas Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Harris County officials on Thursday, accusing them of election interference through get-out-the-vote campaigns. The state is asking a court to issue an injunction to immediately block the county from continuing its targeted voter awareness efforts while voting is currently underway.

The legal action names Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth and her office’s communications director, Irene Nuñez. State attorneys allege that the county’s digital outreach violates the Texas Constitution’s Equal Rights Amendment by directing public resources toward specific racial and ethnic groups while ignoring others.

The Claims Behind the Targeted Ad Challenge

According to the lawsuit, Harris County election officials purchased social media ads encouraging residents to “Plan. Check. Vote!” The attorney general’s office argues that these campaigns unlawfully focus on Black, Latino, and Asian voters. State filings contend that this approach causes irreparable injury to Texas by attempting to influence turnout along racial lines.

To support its claims, the state submitted screenshots of demographic targeting tags reportedly pulled from Meta’s Ad Center, which oversees promotions on Facebook and Instagram. These tags reportedly included categories such as African art, African-American literature, and Spanish as a second language. State lawyers argue that selecting these specific interests demonstrates an intentional effort to boost turnout in some communities over others.

Political Context and the Legal Leadership

The lawsuit comes during a high-stakes election season. Current Attorney General Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee in a tight U.S. Senate race against Democratic State Representative James Talarico. Recent polling has shown Paxton trailing Talarico within the margin of error. If Talarico wins, it would be the first statewide victory for a Texas Democrat since 1994.

Because of his position on the ballot, Paxton announced that he has recused himself from the case. The court filings are led by other department leadership, including First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster. Harris County, which includes Houston, is a key Democratic stronghold and one of the most racially diverse areas in the country, with non-Hispanic white residents making up roughly 25% of the population. When Paxton ran for reelection as attorney general in 2022, he lost Harris County by almost 10 percentage points, 53% to 44%.

What the Dispute Means for Area Voters

For ordinary residents in Harris County, voting procedures remain active. The lawsuit specifically asks the court to halt the local government’s informational digital advertisements rather than alter voter registration rolls or close polling places. The Harris County Clerk’s Office did not immediately provide a response to the state’s allegations.

Community members participating in the ongoing election can still cast their ballots according to established state voting laws. However, if the court grants the requested injunction, county election administrators could be forced to pull existing digital public service announcements and adjust how they communicate voting schedules and location details online.

When election regulations change or local outreach programs face sudden legal challenges, consulting a civil rights or election law attorney can help individuals and organizations understand their legal protections and compliance duties.

This article is general information based on Courthouse News Service and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published October 31, 2026.