In a stunning post-election twist that state leaders say could delay life-saving medical research for years, a last-minute lawsuit has frozen Texas’ $3 billion dementia research initiative, even though nearly 70% of voters approved it. The legal challenge—filed by three voters acting without attorneys—accuses Texas’ voting machines of being “unlawful,” a claim that echoes past debunked allegations but now carries enormous financial stakes.
The pause comes just as the state was preparing to launch one of the most ambitious dementia-focused research efforts in U.S. history—one that lawmakers promised would make Texas a national leader in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and brain-disease innovation.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who championed the measure, blasted the lawsuit as a direct hit on the half-million Texans living with dementia, calling the effort “disgusting,” “frivolous,” and a “cruel distraction” from the urgent need for medical breakthroughs.
Voters approved it overwhelmingly — but a lawsuit hit the brakes
Three Texas voters—Shannon Huggins, Lars Kuslich and Jose Silvester—filed the lawsuit on Nov. 13 in Travis County, directly targeting the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
They argue that some voting machines used in the November election were not properly certified under federal law and therefore the results approving Proposition 14, which created the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), should be tossed out.
Notably, the plaintiffs did not challenge the other 16 propositions on the ballot, even though those measures relied on the same machines. Instead, they focused solely on blocking the dementia fund, pointing to its financial scale:
“As Texas taxpayers, Contestants suffer a distinct injury from the $3 billion diversion of general revenue…” the lawsuit claims.
Patrick: “This lawsuit is an insult to every Texas family fighting dementia”
Lt. Gov. Patrick criticized the lawsuit sharply, saying the plaintiffs appear to be weaponizing election doubts to delay medical funding voters clearly wanted.
“This attack on DPRIT is disgusting and is a disservice to the roughly 500,000 Texans who suffer from dementia, and their families who suffer along with them,” Patrick said.
Patrick urged the courts to act quickly, saying the delay is harming families who “cannot afford to wait years for hope.”
A legal loophole is keeping DPRIT from launching
Texas law currently prevents constitutional amendments from taking effect when an election is under active court challenge.
Although lawmakers passed House Bill 16 earlier this year to stop exactly this kind of procedural freeze, the law doesn’t become effective until Dec. 4.
Because the lawsuit was filed before that date, the entire $3 billion research effort is now stalled—with no clear timeline for resolution.
This isn’t the first time activists have tried to block voter-approved amendments
Texas has seen an uptick in post-election challenges involving voting machines.
In 2023, multiple lawsuits—also driven by right-wing activists—attempted to halt constitutional amendments based on allegations of faulty or insecure voting equipment. Those claims were later found to be unsupported by evidence.
Two of the current plaintiffs, Huggins and Kuslich, have filed similar lawsuits in past elections.
Patrick labelled this one “abuse of the legal system.”
What voters actually approved: a research engine built to transform brain health in Texas
If allowed to proceed, DPRIT would become one of the nation’s most aggressive state-funded efforts to tackle brain disease. The initiative would:
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Recruit leading physicians, neuroscientists, and researchers
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Fund breakthrough investigations into dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related disorders
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Support prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs
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Invest in new medicines, cutting-edge facilities, and clinical trials
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Establish a governing board of top-tier medical and scientific experts
Texas leaders have framed the move as both a medical mission and an economic strategy—a way to attract major research talent, biotech companies, and innovation hubs.
The initial $3 billion investment would come from the state’s surplus or rainy-day fund.
Families fear “false delays” could cost precious time
While the lawsuit focuses on voting machines, families living with dementia say the real harm is the months—or even years—of delay that could follow if courts allow the case to drag on.
Advocates note that dementia research is already underfunded nationally and that Texas had finally taken a historic step to change that. Several medical groups have warned that every year of stalled progress represents lost opportunities, lost data, and lost lives.
Doctors with the Alzheimer’s Association and Texas Neurological Society have emphasized in previous public statements (unrelated to this lawsuit) that early intervention and research funding are crucial, especially in states with rapidly aging populations.
For families, the concern is simple:
the longer the fight over machines continues, the longer scientific breakthroughs are pushed out of reach.
State awaits next steps
The Texas Tribune contacted the plaintiffs for comment but did not receive immediate responses.
Meanwhile, state leaders are bracing for a legal fight that could stretch deep into 2026 unless resolved quickly.
Patrick, for his part, wants a rapid ruling:
“This frivolous lawsuit has prevented the DPRIT constitutional amendment from taking effect, despite nearly 70% of the vote!”
Until a court acts—or HB 16 takes effect—Texas’ most ambitious public-health initiative in decades remains in limbo.
