The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into Texas Majority PAC following a viral video in which an operative discusses the group's alleged practice of compensating individuals for attending a voting-related class. A source confirmed the investigation on Wednesday, which was first reported by Fox News. The video, released by the conservative outlet Townhall, features Sky MacAdams, a former organizing manager for Texas Majority PAC, explaining how the group purportedly uses a loophole to bypass federal election laws.
In the footage, MacAdams states, "We are paying people $25 to attend a one-hour Zoom class to learn why voting is important and why the Republicans are causing all of these bad things." He describes this as a "roundabout way of paying people for their votes," acknowledging that it exists in a "gray" area of legality. Federal law prohibits any form of payment in exchange for votes, with potential penalties including up to two years in prison.
MacAdams further clarifies, "You can’t pay someone to vote for someone. You can say, ‘Attend a one-hour class and you can receive $25.’" He also expressed that if he were a Republican, he would find the practice questionable.
Eddie Vale, a spokesperson for Texas Majority PAC, responded to the claims, stating that MacAdams' description of their "relational organizing program" was inaccurate and emphasized that their operations are lawful. Vale explained, "We hire Texans to join events where they are taught how to organize their friends and family. They encourage their friends and family to turn out and vote and send them regular reminders. They are compensated for their organizing work, just like any other job."
Vale added that the organization had paid $500,000 to a political consulting firm, Relentless, for its program in May of this year. In light of the video, Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) has urged Attorney General Todd Blanche to investigate Texas Majority PAC, asserting that the group has admitted to violating the law. Fallon stated, "If this is true, this criminal behavior has no place in America and our elections. The government has a responsibility to investigate and hold accountable those that seek to circumvent free and fair elections through bribery of voters."
Texas Majority PAC and the DOJ have not yet responded to requests for comment.