Texas Democratic Group Accused of Paying for Votes
An undercover video reveals an operative discussing a program that pays attendees for participating in 'classes' about voting.
A Texas Democratic group is allegedly using a method to compensate individuals for their time spent attending voter education sessions, a practice an operative described as a "roundabout way of paying people for their votes." The operation, conducted by the Texas Majority PAC, involves paying $25 for participants to attend one-hour Zoom classes focused on why voting is important and criticizing Republican policies.
Sky MacAdams, an organizing manager for Texas Majority PAC, detailed the program in footage captured by an undercover operative and published by Townhall. "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," MacAdams stated in the video. He acknowledged the approach exists in a "gray" area and that "If I was a Republican, I would be pissed. I would be like, that’s shady as f--k."
Federal law prohibits offering payment in exchange for voting or refraining from voting for a specific candidate, with penalties including up to two years in prison. The program is described by its creators as a "paid relational program" that compensates low-propensity voters for the time they spend persuading friends and family to vote.
Texas Majority PAC reportedly paid $500,000 to the political consulting firm Relentless for its organizing program in May. The PAC has allocated over $2.4 million in 2026 to support mobilization efforts for statewide, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate contests. The PAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This development comes amid broader accusations of vote-buying tactics. Former President Donald Trump was previously criticized by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for allegedly promising $5,000 dividend checks if Republicans maintained control of Congress. Texas Senate Democratic candidate James Talarico characterized these alleged Trump checks as an "election year stunt." In response to the Texas Majority PAC scheme, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Talarico of similar tactics.