Texas Democrats Face Charges in Alleged Ballot Harvesting Investigation

Nine Individuals Indicted in Statewide Probe Led by Attorney General Ken Paxton

July 13, 2025

A comprehensive investigation into alleged illegal ballot collection practices in Texas has resulted in criminal charges against nine individuals, including a former Democratic Party county chair and several elected officials. The case represents the latest development in ongoing efforts by state authorities to address what they describe as violations of Texas election laws.

Key Figures Face Criminal Charges

The investigation centers on Juan Manuel Medina, former chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party and a previous candidate for mayor of San Antonio. Medina faces two counts of vote harvesting, according to court documents filed as part of the broader statewide investigation.

Prosecutors allege that Medina orchestrated ballot collection activities in support of Democrat Cecilia Castellano’s unsuccessful 2024 campaign for the Texas House District 80 seat. Castellano ultimately lost the election to Republican candidate Don McLaughlin.

The indictments include charges against Castellano herself, along with Rachel Leal and former Dilley council member Inelda Rodriguez. According to charging documents, Medina allegedly provided “compensation or other benefit” to Leal and Rodriguez in February 2024 in exchange for what prosecutors term “vote-harvesting services.”

Additional Officials Charged

The scope of the investigation extends beyond the core group to include several other individuals with ties to local government and educational institutions. Those charged include:

• Petra Davina Trevino, former mayor of Pearsall
• Mary Ann Obregon, former mayor of Dilley
• Susanna Flores Carrizales
• Raul Carrizales III, Frio County Precinct 3 Commissioner
• Maricela Garcia Benavides, secretary of the Pearsall Independent School District Board

The involvement of multiple current and former elected officials across different jurisdictions suggests the investigation uncovered what authorities believe was a coordinated effort spanning multiple communities in the region.

Legal Defense and Controversy

Defense attorneys for the accused individuals have strongly disputed the charges, arguing that their clients engaged in legitimate political activities rather than illegal ballot harvesting. Don Flanary, representing Cecilia Castellano, stated that his client “didn’t do anything illegal” and expressed confidence that prosecutors would be unable to prove their case.

Flanary also raised concerns about the broader implications of the investigation, telling reporters that “the problem is it’s very chilling for people.” This comment reflects ongoing debates about the balance between election security measures and protecting legitimate voter outreach activities.

The defense’s position highlights the complex legal questions surrounding ballot collection practices, where the line between legal voter assistance and illegal harvesting can sometimes be unclear. Texas law generally prohibits individuals from collecting and submitting ballots on behalf of others, with limited exceptions for family members and certain other circumstances.

Attorney General’s Broader Investigation

The current charges emerge from an extensive investigation led by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has made election integrity enforcement a central focus of his office. The May announcement of six additional charges in the same Frio County probe indicates that this case represents just one component of a larger investigative effort.

The investigation has involved significant law enforcement resources, including a raid on Medina’s residence and the seizure of Castellano’s mobile phone. These actions suggest that authorities have been building their case through traditional investigative methods including search warrants and digital evidence collection.

Paxton’s office has also been active in other election-related matters, including a recent announcement of investigations into 33 individuals identified as “potential noncitizens” who allegedly participated in the 2024 election. These cases were initiated after the Texas Secretary of State flagged questionable voter registrations using the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) database operated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Legal Challenges and Court Proceedings

The investigation has faced legal challenges along the way, including disputes over voter registration procedures. In September, a state district judge initially blocked Paxton’s attempt to prevent Bexar County from mailing voter registration forms to county residents. However, this ruling was subsequently overturned by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans after Paxton’s office appealed the decision.

These court proceedings illustrate the contentious nature of election administration issues in Texas, where state and local authorities sometimes disagree about proper procedures and enforcement priorities. The judicial back-and-forth also demonstrates how election-related disputes often involve complex questions of state versus local authority.

National Context and Similar Cases

The Texas investigation occurs within a broader national context of heightened attention to ballot collection practices. Similar cases have emerged in other states, indicating that concerns about ballot harvesting extend beyond Texas borders.

A notable parallel case occurred in Arizona, where two individuals were indicted in October 2022 as part of a ballot harvesting investigation in Yuma County. Gloria Lopez Torres and Nadia Guadalupe Lizarraga-Mayorquin faced charges of conspiracy and ballot abuse related to alleged activities during the 2020 primary election.

The Arizona case involved accusations that Torres collected seven ballots from Lizarraga-Mayorquin, who had collected at least one ballot from a third party. Torres, who was serving as a San Luis Council member at the time of her indictment, and Lizarraga-Mayorquin were charged with depositing the collected ballots in a ballot box during the August 2020 primary election.

Understanding Ballot Harvesting Laws

Ballot harvesting generally refers to the practice of collecting and submitting absentee or mail-in ballots on behalf of other voters. While the specific legal framework varies by state, many jurisdictions have implemented restrictions on who can collect and submit ballots for others.

Texas law includes specific provisions addressing ballot collection, generally limiting who can assist voters with their ballots. The state allows family members, caregivers, and election officials to help in certain circumstances, but broadly prohibits other individuals from collecting and submitting ballots on behalf of voters.

The complexity of these laws can create situations where well-intentioned voter assistance activities may inadvertently cross legal boundaries. This complexity also makes enforcement challenging, as prosecutors must demonstrate that defendants understood the legal restrictions and intentionally violated them.

Political Implications and Election Security

The charges have significant political implications, particularly given the involvement of Democratic Party officials and the Republican attorney general’s leadership of the investigation. Critics have raised questions about whether the investigation represents legitimate law enforcement or politically motivated prosecution.

Supporters of the investigation argue that election law enforcement is essential for maintaining public confidence in electoral processes, regardless of the political affiliations of those charged. They contend that vigorous prosecution of alleged violations serves as a deterrent and helps ensure election integrity.

The timing of the charges, following the 2024 election cycle, also raises questions about the investigative timeline and whether the alleged activities may have influenced election outcomes. However, prosecutors have not publicly alleged that the accused activities changed any election results.

Impact on Voter Outreach Activities

The investigation and resulting charges may have broader implications for legitimate voter outreach and assistance activities. Community organizations and political groups often engage in voter education and turnout efforts that involve helping eligible voters navigate the registration and voting process.

The legal uncertainty created by high-profile prosecutions may cause some organizations to scale back these activities, potentially reducing voter participation among communities that traditionally rely on such assistance. This concern has been raised by voting rights advocates who worry about the chilling effect of aggressive enforcement actions.

Looking Forward

As the legal proceedings continue, the case will likely serve as an important test of Texas election laws and enforcement practices. The outcomes may influence how similar cases are prosecuted in the future and could affect the broader landscape of voter assistance activities in the state.

The defendants will have opportunities to challenge the charges through the normal criminal justice process, including potential motions to dismiss and ultimately trial proceedings if plea agreements are not reached. The legal process may take months or years to fully resolve, particularly if appeals are filed.

Meanwhile, the investigation appears to be ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges as authorities continue their review of alleged ballot collection activities. The broader implications for election administration and voter outreach in Texas will likely depend on how these cases are ultimately resolved and what precedents they establish for future enforcement actions.

The Texas ballot harvesting investigation represents a significant development in ongoing national debates about election security and voter access. As the legal proceedings move forward, they will provide important insights into how states balance the enforcement of election laws with the protection of legitimate voting activities.