Weeks after Texas AG raids against several activists, LULAC has ramped up voter registration in the state

Back in August, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spearheaded a series of raids on the homes of at least six people associated with the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, under vote-harvesting allegations. In response, the organization requested a federal investigation against Paxton and his office claiming the raids were simply an excuse "to suppress the Latino vote through intimidation, a claim that was echoed by 11 members of Congress days later.

Now comes news that rather than holding back, LULAC has decided to intensify efforts to boost voter registration in Texas and beyond, by calling on volunteers to register Latinos and other voters and launching a broader get-out-the-vote campaign, utilizing its 535 local councils across 33 states, according to NBC News.

"Our members have gone from shock to anger to resolve and are doubling their commitment to register voters and get them to polls," said LULAC CEO Juan Proaño

The raids, part of an ongoing investigation into claims of illegal ballot collection in South Texas, have raised concerns among activists. At a recent hearing, the focus was on whether authorities can access documents and digital devices seized from Juan Manuel Medina, a LULAC member and chairman of the Tejano Democrats. Medina's attorney argued that the seized materials contained privileged information unrelated to the investigation.

LULAC members and other Hispanic activists showed up at the hearing in support of Medina. The raids have caused fear among local activists, many of whom have long been involved in voter registration and turnout efforts. Lidia Martinez, an 87-year-old LULAC member, had her home searched and has since halted her election-related activities. Officers seized her phone and her state certification to register voters, leaving her unable to continue her work.

Despite these setbacks, the raids have ignited a renewed sense of urgency within LULAC to engage Latino voters, as Texas LULAC President Gabriel Rosales told NBC News:

"It kind of lit a fire from Hispanics around Texas. We are hearing from all over. No hay mal que por bien no venga. When a door closes, a window opens."

For its national campaign being launched next week, LULAC plans to provide all its local councils with know-your-rights information and resources to help people register, find polling places and ensure their voter registrations are active. The launch aligns with National Voter Registration Day, which is Tuesday