Important note about who gets to use facilities for precinct conventions.

[GOPisEvil]

It is expected that many of us will experience longer than normal precinct conventions this Tuesday. It is very likely that we will run past 8:00, when the Republicans traditionally start their precinct conventions. In counties that the Democratic candidate for Governor carried in the most recent election, the Democrats have the right to that space. What this means is that here in Travis County and in other counties carried by Chris Bell in 2006, the Democratic Party has the right to use that location and the Republicans will have to move elsewhere. Likewise, for you that are not fortunate enough to live in such a county, you may have to be prepared to move your caucus to an alternate location.

The citation is Texas Election Code, section 172.216. Joint Primaries Authorized.
(b) If a polling place, whether for a regular or consolidated precinct, is not suitable for more than one precinct convention, the polling place may be used by the party whose candidate for governor received the most votes in the county in the most recent gubernatorial general election.

Now be NICE when you tell the Republicans they have to leave. ;)

[sonias]

1. Well this year we're all Democrats

So it really is going to gall people. Hopefully it will motivate people who turned out in larger numbers than the Rs in those counties to make sure it never happens again!


Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

2. This is another reason that voting for independents can hurt.

For example in 2000, Nader's participation (yes, I know he was the Green Party candidate that year) allowed Bush to have the most votes in Travis County, although he did not have a majority. It's not too hard to imagine that happening again. Think about the impact for the Republicans who voted for Gramma and the Kinkster. In most years it would amount to nothing, but your votes can have greater impact that in just that election.

[sonias]

5. I understand what you're saying

I remember Nader got 10% of the vote in Travis that year, but you have to keep in mind that was the year of the "Nader Traders". I know, I was one of them. Remember those online websites that traded votes in "red" states for Nader supporters in contested states. The web sites were shut down and ruled illegal but those of us who agreed to trade with someone did it anyway. We already had our contacts before the sites were shut down. I traded my vote in Texas with a guy in Wisconsin who voted for Gore. And I remember Gore squeaked by in Wisconsin with about 3,000 votes. So it helped.

And by the way years later, maybe in 2006 those trading websites were ruled legal.

If those Kinky and Grandma votes in my PCT voted as Ds and counted for Bell, we would have gotten another 40 delegates in my Pct. So your right your vote counts for something else besides the slate you vote for in that year. It counts later when delegates are being assigned to your PCT.

Your vote counts and it keeps counting.

Sonia

[crispini]

3. Snort.

Our Republicans can meet in the broom closet.

:rofl:

[GOPisEvil]

4. Well, they are about 35-40% of the voters here - normally.

This year will be different, I think. At least they have a precinct chair this year, though I think he's a Ron Paul supporter. :D

[sonias]

6. I got one yesterday in my phone banking

Mind you this was a person who had obviously voted for Ds in the past since he's on my calling list. And he tells me he already voted for Paul, but that he hopes Obama will win, since Paul doesn't have a chance in hell of winning.

Way to go there dude. Be the change that doesn't help change happen.

There were also a couple of them in line when I early voted and they struck up a conversation with the rest of us in line jokingly asking "Is everyone here going to vote for Ron Paul?". And most of us said "No, we're here for Obama". Then the kid says "Well at least we can agree we all hate McCain!" Yes we can!

:shrug:


Sonia

[derby378]

7. Just passed it on to my Democratic Election Judge...

I'm sure he'll act prudently with this information. :evilgrin:

[pmbryant]

8. I guess we'll be moving

I've never been to one of these 'precinct conventions' before.

I heard about them last time around, but asked around and never got a clear answer on what the purpose of them was. Also, in my precinct, in the past, I wouldn't have been surprised if no one showed up. No doubt that will be different this year.

--Peter