Police investigate allegations of voter fraud, attempts of registering a minor

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

The Abilene Police Department Fraud Unit is investigating allegations of voter fraud.

According to a police news release, this week a citizen reported that one of the two major parties was attempting to register a minor while at a booth at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.

This investigation is ongoing, and police are working with the Taylor County Elections Office, County Judge Phil Crowley's office and the Attorney General's Office on this case.

Taylor County Elections Administrator Freda Ragan released a statement regarding the police investigation.

"The Taylor County Elections Office has been made aware of an investigation concerning allegations of an Appointed Volunteer Deputy Registrar allegedly attempting to register a minor under the age of 18 to vote," the release stated.

The elections office is cooperating fully with local law enforcement, and Ragan will be personally reviewing and vetting every application received from individuals attempting to register to vote to ensure applications are lawful, according to the release.

"This is standard practice in my office. After my vetting process, I then send these applications to the Secretary of State for further vetting where the Secretary of State uses federal and state records to verify that applications are true and correct and that someone is legally allowed to vote before the application is approved. Only after both steps are completed, is a voter added to the state voter rolls," the statement said.

Ragan has terminated the appointed individual who is being investigated and stated they will not be involved with the election process in November.

"While individuals are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law, in light of the ongoing investigation and as a necessary precaution, I have taken these steps so that the citizens of Taylor County can rest assured in the integrity of the November 2024 Election," according to the statement.

The department urges citizens to use caution and good judgement in this election cycle.

No charges have been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

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This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Police investigate allegations of voter fraud, attempts of registering a minor