Supreme Court justices, federal court of appeals judges, and federal district court judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, as required in the U.S. Constitution. The next president we elect could very well appoint four to five Supreme Court Justices and many dozens of federal court judges.
Monday, June 27, 2016
SCOTUS Says No To Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) Laws
In a 5-3 ruling on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court strikes down Texas' House Bill 2 (HB2) abortion regulation law, finding it places an "undue burden" on women's constitution right to make their own reproductive health care decisions.
This case challenged the constitutionality of two provisions of the HB2 law regulating abortion in Texas. One provision requires doctors who perform abortions to have privileges to admit patients to a local hospital; the other requires abortion clinics to have facilities that are comparable to outpatient surgical centers. Inside the courtroom, lawyers for the state of Texas' tell the judges HB2 provisions are constitutional because they are intended to protect women’s health. Outside the courtroom, state leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott have admitted that the law is intended to limit abortion as much as possible.
This case challenged the constitutionality of two provisions of the HB2 law regulating abortion in Texas. One provision requires doctors who perform abortions to have privileges to admit patients to a local hospital; the other requires abortion clinics to have facilities that are comparable to outpatient surgical centers. Inside the courtroom, lawyers for the state of Texas' tell the judges HB2 provisions are constitutional because they are intended to protect women’s health. Outside the courtroom, state leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott have admitted that the law is intended to limit abortion as much as possible.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
BlogTalkUSA: The Next Generation of Texas Voters
On our Tuesday evening BlogTalkUSA.com program "Eyes Wide Open - Dem Blog Talk," this week, my co-host Rheana Nevitt Piegols and I talked with Celia Morgan, President of the Texas Young Democrats organization and Vice-Chair of the Young Democrats of America Labor Caucus.
We talked with Celia about the Texas Young Democrats caucus at the Texas State Democratic Convention last week, the growing Texas Young Democrats engagement in the political process, and Celia's election to be a delegate for Bernie Sanders at Democratic National Convention.
Click to listen to our podcast:
Listen or download - MP3
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Discriminatory Texas Photo Voter ID Law Remains In Effect
Updated March 9, 2016
The full U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to take up the Texas voter ID case Wednesday, further drawing out the law’s years long review by the federal court system on whether it violates the rights of certain voters. Multiple federal courts have already ruled the law has the intent and effect of violating voters' rights, but it remains alive under repeated appeals by the state of Texas.
The 5th Circuit's decision to hear the case, Veasey v. Abbott, en banc comes more than six months after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the full court to review a 5th circuit three-judge panel's ruling that the law has a “discriminatory effect” that violates the Voting Rights Act. Many believe the 5th Circuit, which has the most conservative judges of any US circuit court, will reverse the ruling of its three judge panel. Either way, the en banc decision will be appealed to SCOTUS. It's my opinion the appeals process will continue well beyond the November election this year, which means the ID law will remain in effect for the presidential general election. For the history of the law's journey through the federal court system, follow the link.
Publish Date September 24, 2015
Despite being found discriminatory and unconstitutional three times by three federal courts, Texas' SB14 photo voter ID law remains in effect, pending ongoing appeals by the state of Texas.
On Wednesday August 5, 2015, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans unanimously agreed with U.S. Southern District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos' October 2014 finding that Texas’ SB14 photo voter ID law has a discriminatory effect on black and Latino voters, and therefore violates section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Judge Ramos struck down Texas' voter photo I.D. law with a 147-page finding issued on October 9, 2014, but the ruling was stayed pending state of Texas' appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. A Fifth Circuit three-judge panel heard the appeal on April 28, 2015.
In its decision on August 5th, the three-judge Fifth Circuit panel remanded the case back to the U.S. Southern District Court ordering Judge Ramos to fashion a specific legal remedy that recognizes legislators declared interest to prevent voter fraud in passing the SB14 law.
In other words, rather than just throw out the entire SB14 law, the Fifth Circuit told Judge Ramos to amend the language of the SB14 law to remedy its discriminatory effect. Such a remedy, for example, could be to reinstate the acceptance at the polls of certain additional forms of identification, such as the Voter Registration Card, that is issued to every registered voter.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Supreme Court To Hear Texas Abortion Case
Updated Monday, February 29, 2016 @ 8:00 PM
The Supreme Court this week will hear arguments in the Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt case, which challenges the 2013 House Bill 2 Texas law threatening to close 13 of the 20 women's health care clinics that remain open in Texas. In addition to other reproductive health care services, those clinics provide abortions in the state.
This case challenges the constitutionality of two provisions of the HB2 law regulating abortion in Texas. One provision requires doctors who perform abortions to have privileges to admit patients to a local hospital; the other requires abortion clinics to have facilities that are comparable to outpatient surgical centers. Inside the courtroom, lawyers for the state of Texas' tell the judges HB2 provisions are constitutional because they are intended to protect women’s health. Outside the courtroom, state leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott have admitted that the law is intended to limit abortion as much as possible.
Last June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned a federal district judge's October 2013 ruling that HB2 violates the constitutional rights of women who seek an abortion as one of their reproductive health care options. The Fifth Circuit's ruling would have allowed the state to immediately enforce all provisions of HB2.
Immediately following that Fifth Circuit ruling, the Supreme Court granted plaintiff's petition asking the high court to temporarily blocked that appellate court's ruling, and Texas' enforcement of the HB2 law, pending appeal. The plaintiffs argue the law offers little to no medical benefits to women and that the real intent of the law is to close clinics and limit women’s access to abortions.
The Fifth Circuit gave a sweeping 56 page endorsement of Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers (TRAP) law legislation anti-abortion lawmakers in Texas and other states have adopted in recent years to make abortion unavailable.
Original Post Date June 29, 2015
In a 5-4 order, the Supreme Court today temporarily blocked a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that was set to close all but nine abortion clinics in Texas by July 1. All 20 abortion clinics open in Texas today will be able to remain open as a result of this temporary order. The Chief Justice, Justice Scalia, Justice Thomas, and Justice Alito opposed the application, according to the Supreme Court's order about the case, Whole Woman's Health, et al. v. Cole, Comm'r, TX DHS, et al.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Collin County 2016 Primary Early Voting Turnout
A total of 74,502 Dem and Rep primary ballots were cast early in Collin Co. through Friday, Feb 26th. Voter traffic on Friday was the heaviest to date with 22,334 ballots cast at early voting centers across the county. The ratio of Early to Election Day turnout will likely be about 50/50, so we will likely see about 75k total votes cast in Collin Co. Texas on Super Tuesday, for a grand total of 150,000 Dem and Rep primary ballots cast. That is well above the official turnout planning estimate of 100,000.
The 2016 cumulative early voting total of 74,502 in-person ballots cast through Friday compares to prior primary year full 11 day early voting totals of:
Out of 500k currently registered voters, 47,907 have voted only in a prior Democratic Party primary, and 79,185 have voted in a prior Republican primary.
This year, 6,859 first time primary voters voted in the Democratic primary and 18,813 first time primary voters voted in the Republican primary.
Of the 47,907 who have voted only in a prior Democratic primary, 7,977 voted early in the 2016 primary. Of the 79,185 who have voted only in a prior Republican primary, 31,795 turned out early in 2016.
Crossover party voting was minimal with 484 prior Republican only voters voting in the Democratic primary, and 2,535 Democrats only voting in the Republican primary.
Of the 11,943 prior swing party primary voters, 4,712 voted Republican and 1,213 voted Democratic Party ballots this year.
Collin County 2016 primary turnout at early voting locations through Friday Feb 26th.
Early primary turnout on Friday 2/26 for the top few EV voting centers:
The 2016 cumulative early voting total of 74,502 in-person ballots cast through Friday compares to prior primary year full 11 day early voting totals of:
- 2014 R+D = 30,263
- 2012 R+D = 28,288
- 2008 R+D = 59,033 (Rep: 23,368 - Dem: 35,665)
Age Group |
VAP | Reg Voters |
% VAP Reg |
Total Voted |
Voted Dem |
% Dem | Voted Rep |
% Rep |
18-19 | 25,548 | 15,453 | 60% | 1,133 | 464 | 0.62% | 669 | 0.90% |
20-24 | 50,490 | 37,243 | 74% | 1,831 | 860 | 1.16% | 971 | 1.31% |
25-29 | 48,949 | 33,748 | 69% | 1,646 | 698 | 0.94% | 948 | 1.27% |
30-34 | 65,262 | 37,971 | 58% | 2,592 | 912 | 1.23% | 1,680 | 2.26% |
35-39 | 74,045 | 45,119 | 61% | 3,468 | 1,073 | 1.44% | 2,395 | 3.22% |
40-44 | 80,977 | 54,029 | 67% | 5,202 | 1,362 | 1.83% | 3,840 | 5.16% |
45-49 | 72,580 | 57,287 | 79% | 6,897 | 1,554 | 2.09% | 5,343 | 7.18% |
50-54 | 67,865 | 54,993 | 81% | 8,615 | 1,733 | 2.33% | 6,882 | 9.25% |
55-59 | 53,330 | 47,295 | 89% | 9,050 | 1,853 | 2.49% | 7,197 | 9.67% |
60-64 | 40,856 | 36,857 | 90% | 9,331 | 1,966 | 2.64% | 7,365 | 9.90% |
65-69 | 33,312 | 31,193 | 94% | 9,602 | 1,844 | 2.48% | 7,758 | 10.43% |
70-74 | 21,918 | 21,392 | 98% | 7,454 | 1,190 | 1.60% | 6,264 | 8.42% |
75-79 | 13,834 | 12,976 | 94% | 4,344 | 602 | 0.81% | 3,742 | 5.03% |
80-84 | 8,743 | 7,694 | 88% | 2,089 | 265 | 0.36% | 1,824 | 2.45% |
85+ | 8,341 | 6,981 | 84% | 1,137 | 157 | 0.21% | 980 | 1.32% |
All | 666,050 | 500,231 | 75% | 74,391 | 16,533 | 22.22% | 57,858 | 77.78% |
Out of 500k currently registered voters, 47,907 have voted only in a prior Democratic Party primary, and 79,185 have voted in a prior Republican primary.
This year, 6,859 first time primary voters voted in the Democratic primary and 18,813 first time primary voters voted in the Republican primary.
Of the 47,907 who have voted only in a prior Democratic primary, 7,977 voted early in the 2016 primary. Of the 79,185 who have voted only in a prior Republican primary, 31,795 turned out early in 2016.
Crossover party voting was minimal with 484 prior Republican only voters voting in the Democratic primary, and 2,535 Democrats only voting in the Republican primary.
Of the 11,943 prior swing party primary voters, 4,712 voted Republican and 1,213 voted Democratic Party ballots this year.
Collin County 2016 primary turnout at early voting locations through Friday Feb 26th.
SITE | Total | Dem | % Dem | Rep | % Rep |
Allen Municipal Complex EV501 | 7,571 | 1,587 | 21% | 5,984 | 79% |
Carpenter Park Recreation Ctr EV601 | 4,789 | 1,330 | 28% | 3,459 | 72% |
Maribelle M. Davis Library EV200 | 3,931 | 1,157 | 29% | 2,774 | 71% |
John & Judy Gay Library EV212 | 6,081 | 1,141 | 19% | 4,940 | 81% |
Renner-Frankford Library EV074 | 4,136 | 1,118 | 27% | 3,018 | 73% |
Haggard Library EV164 | 3,367 | 946 | 28% | 2,421 | 72% |
CC Preston Ridge Campus EV117 | 4,129 | 942 | 23% | 3,187 | 77% |
CC Spring Creek Campus EV050 | 2,282 | 931 | 41% | 1,351 | 59% |
Harrington Library EV602 | 3,145 | 903 | 29% | 2,242 | 71% |
PISD Admin Blvd. EV603 | 3,599 | 758 | 21% | 2,841 | 79% |
Rita & Truett Smith Library EV222 | 3,637 | 705 | 19% | 2,932 | 81% |
Collin County Elections EV504 | 3,771 | 670 | 18% | 3,101 | 82% |
Christ UMC EV211 | 3,143 | 655 | 21% | 2,488 | 79% |
Murphy Community Ctr. EV252 | 2,595 | 634 | 24% | 1,961 | 76% |
Parr Library EV109 | 3,221 | 615 | 19% | 2,606 | 81% |
CC McKinney Campus EV043 | 1,647 | 381 | 23% | 1,266 | 77% |
Fire Station #7 EV172 | 1,920 | 351 | 18% | 1,569 | 82% |
Methodist Richardson Med. EV251 | 1,212 | 335 | 28% | 877 | 72% |
Frisco Senior Center EV194 | 1,424 | 306 | 21% | 1,118 | 79% |
Collin Center Higher Edu. EV202 | 1,142 | 219 | 19% | 923 | 81% |
Lovejoy ISD-Spurgin Admin EV174 | 1,483 | 167 | 11% | 1,316 | 89% |
Texas Star Bank EV165 | 1,076 | 161 | 15% | 915 | 85% |
Prosper Municipal Chambers EV215 | 1,289 | 119 | 9% | 1,170 | 91% |
Princeton City Hall EV214 | 831 | 98 | 12% | 733 | 88% |
Parker City Hall EV176 | 670 | 92 | 14% | 578 | 86% |
Lavon City Hall EV213 | 621 | 83 | 13% | 538 | 87% |
Old Settlers Rec. Center EV516 | 341 | 81 | 24% | 260 | 76% |
Celina ISD Admin Building EV721 | 772 | 67 | 9% | 705 | 91% |
Lucas Community Ctr. EV041 | 656 | 56 | 9% | 600 | 91% |
Farmersville City Hall EV011 | 224 | 26 | 12% | 198 | 88% |
Total | 74,049 | 16,578 | 22% | 57,471 | 78% |
Early primary turnout on Friday 2/26 for the top few EV voting centers:
SITE | Total | Dem | Dem % | Rep | Rep % |
Allen Municipal Complex EV501 | 2,037 | 413 | 20% | 1,624 | 80% |
Carpenter Park Recreation Ctr EV601 | 1,413 | 363 | 26% | 1,050 | 74% |
Renner-Frankford Library EV074 | 1,089 | 299 | 27% | 790 | 73% |
John & Judy Gay Library EV212 | 1,697 | 276 | 16% | 1,421 | 84% |
Maribelle M. Davis Library EV200 | 1,132 | 272 | 24% | 860 | 76% |
CC Spring Creek Campus EV050 | 691 | 266 | 38% | 425 | 62% |
Murphy Community Ctr. EV252 | 922 | 259 | 28% | 663 | 72% |
PISD Admin Blvd. EV603 | 1,152 | 251 | 22% | 901 | 78% |
Harrington Library EV602 | 837 | 251 | 30% | 586 | 70% |
Haggard Library EV164 | 835 | 227 | 27% | 608 | 73% |
CC Preston Ridge Campus EV117 | 1,117 | 221 | 20% | 896 | 80% |
Rita & Truett Smith Library EV222 | 1,093 | 202 | 18% | 891 | 82% |
Parr Library EV109 | 1,069 | 187 | 17% | 882 | 83% |
Christ UMC EV211 | 1,091 | 172 | 16% | 919 | 84% |
Collin County Elections EV504 | 889 | 151 | 17% | 738 | 83% |
Fire Station #7 EV172 | 661 | 135 | 20% | 526 | 80% |
Frisco Senior Center EV194 | 559 | 121 | 22% | 438 | 78% |
Methodist Richardson Med. EV251 | 397 | 113 | 28% | 284 | 72% |
CC McKinney Campus EV043 | 522 | 96 | 18% | 426 | 82% |
Collin Center Higher Edu. EV202 | 378 | 65 | 17% | 313 | 83% |
Texas Star Bank EV165 | 366 | 60 | 16% | 306 | 84% |
Lovejoy ISD-Spurgin Admin EV174 | 499 | 56 | 11% | 443 | 89% |
Prosper Municipal Chambers EV215 | 472 | 38 | 8% | 434 | 92% |
Princeton City Hall EV214 | 286 | 31 | 11% | 255 | 89% |
Parker City Hall EV176 | 235 | 31 | 13% | 204 | 87% |
Old Settlers Rec. Center EV516 | 121 | 28 | 23% | 93 | 77% |
Lucas Community Ctr. EV041 | 323 | 24 | 7% | 299 | 93% |
Lavon City Hall EV213 | 206 | 23 | 11% | 183 | 89% |
Celina ISD Admin Building EV721 | 255 | 13 | 5% | 242 | 95% |
Total | 22,021 | 4,620 | 21% | 17,401 | 79% |
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Texas Early Voting Tuesday 2/16 - Friday 2/26
Registered County voters may vote early at ANY early voting location in Your County. Click here for Collin County early voting information and locations. Early Voting days and hours:
When voters head to the polls, they will need to bring a valid form of ID with them in order to be able to cast their vote. By Texas law, you must present one of the following: (full details)
On our BlogTalkUSA network program "Eyes Wide Open: DemBlogTalk," my cohost Rheana Nevitt Piegols and I celebrated the first day of Texas early voting on Tuesday talking with some of the finest candidates in the state! Our distinguished guests were:
Also on some Collin County ballots are John Bryant for Texas State Representative District 70, and Gnanse Nelson for Texas State Representative District 66.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote in the primary? Find out here.
Voter information:
- Tuesday-Friday, February 16-19: 8am-5pm
- Saturday, February 20: 7am-7pm
- Sunday, February 21: 1-6pm
- Monday-Friday, February 22-26: 7am-7pm
When voters head to the polls, they will need to bring a valid form of ID with them in order to be able to cast their vote. By Texas law, you must present one of the following: (full details)
- Driver’s license
- Texas Election Identification Certificate(free document available through DPS)
- Personal identification card
- License to carry a handgun
- Military ID (must have a photograph)
- United States citizenship certificate (must have a photograph)
- United States passport
Except for the citizenship certificate, all of these forms of ID must be current or have expired in the last 60 days.Early voting lasts from February 16th – 26th. All Texas voters can go to any location in their county during early voting to cast their ballot, not just their neighborhood polling location. You can find more information about early voting in your county, including hours of operation for different polling locations, through the Secretary of State’s website here. On Election Day, March 1st, in most Texas counties you must vote in your precinct -- In Some Counties Including Collin County Registered voters may vote early at ANY voting location in the County on Election day.
On our BlogTalkUSA network program "Eyes Wide Open: DemBlogTalk," my cohost Rheana Nevitt Piegols and I celebrated the first day of Texas early voting on Tuesday talking with some of the finest candidates in the state! Our distinguished guests were:
- Lon Burnam, candidate for Texas Railroad Commission; (About the office)
- Michael Messer, candidate for Collin County Justice of the Peace precinct 3;
- Karen Jacobs, candidate for Texas State Representative House District 33; (Endorsed by Dallas Morning News)
- Denise Hamilton, candidate for Texas State Representative House District 89;
- Scott Coleman, candidate for Texas State Representative House District 67;
- District Judge Dennise Garcia, candidate for Texas Court of Appeals 5th District; and
- Adam Bell, candidate for US House of Representatives from Texas 3rd District! (Endorsed by Dallas Morning News)
Also on some Collin County ballots are John Bryant for Texas State Representative District 70, and Gnanse Nelson for Texas State Representative District 66.
Not sure if you’re registered to vote in the primary? Find out here.
Voter information:
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Democratic Primary Nominating Delegate Allocations
In order to win the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, a candidate must accumulate 2,382 out of 4,761 available delegate votes to win the nominating vote at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
There are two basic types of Democratic convention delegates: pledged and unpledged (super) delegates. A candidate is eligible to win a share of the pledged delegates at stake in a state if he or she receives at least 15 percent of votes cast in a primary or the preferences expressed in a caucus, either in a congressional district or statewide. Individuals who are pledged delegates are "pledged" to vote for the candidate to whom they are allocated at the Democratic National Convention. There are expected to be approximately 4,051 pledged delegates at the convention. There are three categories of pledged delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates and pledged party leader and elected officials, or PLEO delegates.
Congressional district delegates are allocated proportionally based on the results of the primary or caucus in a congressional district. The number of district delegates that are apportioned to each congressional district is determined by the Democratic vote in each district in recent elections. At-large delegates are allocated proportionally based on the statewide results in the primary or caucus. Pledged party leaders and elected officials (PLEO delegates) are delegates by virtue of their office; PLEO delegates can include statewide elected officials, state legislators, local elected officials or party leaders. PLEO delegates are allocated proportionally based on the statewide results of the primary or caucus.
Unpledged delegates, often referred to as "super delegates," are automatic delegates to the convention and are not required to pledge their support to a presidential candidate. Unpledged delegates are members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, or distinguished party leaders - such as former presidents or vice presidents. (List of Super Delegates)
There are expected to be approximately 710 unpledged Democratic convention super delegates in 2016, which makes up 15 percent of the total convention delegate number. If an unpledged delegate is unable to attend the convention, an alternate delegate is not substituted as a replacement.
An Associated Press survey conducted in November found 357 super delegates "planned" to support Hillary Clinton, 14 planned to support Bernie Sanders, and 339 remain publicly uncommitted and available to either candidate.
While super delegates are free to back whomever they choose at the convention, to count 357 super delegates as sure votes for Clinton at this stage is putting the cart before the horse. It’s highly unlikely they will come into play in the first place. If Sanders were to arrive at the convention with a majority of bound delegates, but fewer than the 2,382 needed to secure the nomination, it’s hard to imagine the super delegates would dare to buck the will of Democratic primary voters by swinging the count to Clinton’s favor.
For more perspective on super delegates, click this link: WaPo: Will superdelegates pick the Democratic nominee? Here’s everything you need to know.
Democratic Primary Nominating Delegate Allocation Table - Updated 2/11/15 @ 9:25 am cst
There are two basic types of Democratic convention delegates: pledged and unpledged (super) delegates. A candidate is eligible to win a share of the pledged delegates at stake in a state if he or she receives at least 15 percent of votes cast in a primary or the preferences expressed in a caucus, either in a congressional district or statewide. Individuals who are pledged delegates are "pledged" to vote for the candidate to whom they are allocated at the Democratic National Convention. There are expected to be approximately 4,051 pledged delegates at the convention. There are three categories of pledged delegates: congressional district delegates, at-large delegates and pledged party leader and elected officials, or PLEO delegates.
Congressional district delegates are allocated proportionally based on the results of the primary or caucus in a congressional district. The number of district delegates that are apportioned to each congressional district is determined by the Democratic vote in each district in recent elections. At-large delegates are allocated proportionally based on the statewide results in the primary or caucus. Pledged party leaders and elected officials (PLEO delegates) are delegates by virtue of their office; PLEO delegates can include statewide elected officials, state legislators, local elected officials or party leaders. PLEO delegates are allocated proportionally based on the statewide results of the primary or caucus.
Unpledged delegates, often referred to as "super delegates," are automatic delegates to the convention and are not required to pledge their support to a presidential candidate. Unpledged delegates are members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, or distinguished party leaders - such as former presidents or vice presidents. (List of Super Delegates)
There are expected to be approximately 710 unpledged Democratic convention super delegates in 2016, which makes up 15 percent of the total convention delegate number. If an unpledged delegate is unable to attend the convention, an alternate delegate is not substituted as a replacement.
An Associated Press survey conducted in November found 357 super delegates "planned" to support Hillary Clinton, 14 planned to support Bernie Sanders, and 339 remain publicly uncommitted and available to either candidate.
While super delegates are free to back whomever they choose at the convention, to count 357 super delegates as sure votes for Clinton at this stage is putting the cart before the horse. It’s highly unlikely they will come into play in the first place. If Sanders were to arrive at the convention with a majority of bound delegates, but fewer than the 2,382 needed to secure the nomination, it’s hard to imagine the super delegates would dare to buck the will of Democratic primary voters by swinging the count to Clinton’s favor.
For more perspective on super delegates, click this link: WaPo: Will superdelegates pick the Democratic nominee? Here’s everything you need to know.
Democratic Primary Nominating Delegate Allocation Table - Updated 2/11/15 @ 9:25 am cst
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Limited Ballots For Texas Early Primary Voting
Texas Election Law requires voters to vote in the county in which they currently reside. During the early voting period, and only during early voting, voters who find they are not registered in the county in which they currently reside when the go to vote, but find they remain registered to vote in a former Texas county of residence, may vote a "limited ballot" in the county in which they currently reside. It is a violation of Texas Election Law for voters who have moved to a new county to return to their former county to voter, even though they remain registered in their former county of residence.
I have repeated that first paragraph of words many dozens of times during early voting of each election like the primary election starting on Tuesday, February 16th, for most of this century.
One of most common voter problem I and other Texas Election Judges encounter during every election is the failure of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices to register some people to vote when they obtained, updated or renewed their driver's license. Over a third of all new Texas voter registrations original with Texas DPS.
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 - the "Motor Voter Act" as it's commonly known - was signed into federal law by President Bill Clinton on May 20, 1993, taking effect on January 1, 1995.
The Motor Voter law expanded voting rights by requiring state governments to offer everyone eligible to vote the opportunity to complete a voter registration application when they obtain, update or renew their driver's license, or other form of identification card issued by the DPS. The federal law indicates the voter registration shall be made or updated, but Texas DPS implemented the law in a way that effectively requires voters to affirmatively request the voter registration action.
I have repeated that first paragraph of words many dozens of times during early voting of each election like the primary election starting on Tuesday, February 16th, for most of this century.
One of most common voter problem I and other Texas Election Judges encounter during every election is the failure of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices to register some people to vote when they obtained, updated or renewed their driver's license. Over a third of all new Texas voter registrations original with Texas DPS.
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 - the "Motor Voter Act" as it's commonly known - was signed into federal law by President Bill Clinton on May 20, 1993, taking effect on January 1, 1995.
The Motor Voter law expanded voting rights by requiring state governments to offer everyone eligible to vote the opportunity to complete a voter registration application when they obtain, update or renew their driver's license, or other form of identification card issued by the DPS. The federal law indicates the voter registration shall be made or updated, but Texas DPS implemented the law in a way that effectively requires voters to affirmatively request the voter registration action.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Americans Trust Democrats More Than Republicans
A new Pew Research Center survey finds the American people trust Democrats more than Republicans 41 percent 31 percent.
The Pew Research Center’s annual survey of policy and priorities found that Democrats led Republicans on a wide range of character issues. Democrats had a 25 point lead (52%-27%) on being more willing to work with the other party. Democrats held a 20 point (52%-32%) advantage on the question of who is concerned with the needs of people like me. By a margin of 54%-35%, Republicans were found to be the more extreme party in their positions. Respondents also thought the Republican Party was more influenced by lobbyists than the Democratic Party (47%-30%), but the most telling question was who do people trust to govern ethically and honestly.
By a margin of 41%-31% those surveyed believed that Democrats govern in a more ethical and honest way than Republicans. This question goes to the heart of why Democrats continue to win elections. A majority of voters don’t trust the Republican Party. They don’t think Republicans will be honest with them. Some of these feelings are no doubt left over from the dishonest Bush administration, but much of the distrust comes from the way Republicans have chosen to govern.
Republicans have been fundamentally dishonest with the American people. After they took control of the House in 2010, John Boehner said the Republican agenda was all about jobs. He and his caucus then spent years on dozens of attempts to repeal the ACA. Boehner’s Republican House majority hasn’t proposed or passed a single jobs bill. However, they have voted to cut food stamps, energy assistance, aid for veterans, food for senior citizens, unemployment benefits, and almost every other aid program for the poor and middle class that you can think of.
While cutting programs for the poor and middle class, Republicans have aggressively pushed an agenda of tax cuts and benefits for corporations and the wealthy. This survey reveals that the American people are paying attention to what Republicans have been up to. Republicans can’t disguise their plans to cut taxes for the wealthy as a jobs bill, and expect no one to notice what they are really up to.
Republicans have shown repeatedly during the Obama presidency that they don’t care about the problems of average Americans. Democrats have taken up the mantle of fighting for everyone that the Republican agenda is harming, and people appear to be appreciating it.
The Republican Party is in shambles because they are accurately viewed by most Americans as the uncaring party of the rich. Republicans can pay lip service to the middle class and claim they care about poverty, but they aren’t fooling anyone.
The GOP in the 2016 election cycle is increasingly revealing itself as the party of the wealthy few focused on winning elections on message of fear and hate.
Understanding Donald Trump and The GOP
The Pew Research Center’s annual survey of policy and priorities found that Democrats led Republicans on a wide range of character issues. Democrats had a 25 point lead (52%-27%) on being more willing to work with the other party. Democrats held a 20 point (52%-32%) advantage on the question of who is concerned with the needs of people like me. By a margin of 54%-35%, Republicans were found to be the more extreme party in their positions. Respondents also thought the Republican Party was more influenced by lobbyists than the Democratic Party (47%-30%), but the most telling question was who do people trust to govern ethically and honestly.
By a margin of 41%-31% those surveyed believed that Democrats govern in a more ethical and honest way than Republicans. This question goes to the heart of why Democrats continue to win elections. A majority of voters don’t trust the Republican Party. They don’t think Republicans will be honest with them. Some of these feelings are no doubt left over from the dishonest Bush administration, but much of the distrust comes from the way Republicans have chosen to govern.
Republicans have been fundamentally dishonest with the American people. After they took control of the House in 2010, John Boehner said the Republican agenda was all about jobs. He and his caucus then spent years on dozens of attempts to repeal the ACA. Boehner’s Republican House majority hasn’t proposed or passed a single jobs bill. However, they have voted to cut food stamps, energy assistance, aid for veterans, food for senior citizens, unemployment benefits, and almost every other aid program for the poor and middle class that you can think of.
While cutting programs for the poor and middle class, Republicans have aggressively pushed an agenda of tax cuts and benefits for corporations and the wealthy. This survey reveals that the American people are paying attention to what Republicans have been up to. Republicans can’t disguise their plans to cut taxes for the wealthy as a jobs bill, and expect no one to notice what they are really up to.
Republicans have shown repeatedly during the Obama presidency that they don’t care about the problems of average Americans. Democrats have taken up the mantle of fighting for everyone that the Republican agenda is harming, and people appear to be appreciating it.
The Republican Party is in shambles because they are accurately viewed by most Americans as the uncaring party of the rich. Republicans can pay lip service to the middle class and claim they care about poverty, but they aren’t fooling anyone.
The GOP in the 2016 election cycle is increasingly revealing itself as the party of the wealthy few focused on winning elections on message of fear and hate.
Understanding Donald Trump and The GOP
Friday, January 29, 2016
Students: Texas Photo ID Not Requied For Mail Ballots
I hope young Texans old enough to vote, in their late teens and twenties, have registered to vote and will vote in the 2016 primary election. The voter registration deadline is Monday, February 1, 2016.
But even holding their Voter Registration Certificate, many young Texans may not be able to vote, because they don't have a driver's license, concealed handgun license or passport. They may not be able to vote because Texas' SB14 voter ID law remains in effect, as of the date of this article, pending further action by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Many college dorm resident students attending college in a city or state away from their home don't have a car or a driver's license - or their birth certificate.
But students attending college in a city or state away from home can request a vote-by-mail ballot from their parent's home county elections office, if the student is registered to vote in their home county -- and did not re-register in the county where they attend college. No ID is required to request and vote a mail ballot from your home county. Application for a Ballot by Mail - click here.
Any registered Texas voter who is 65 years or older or disabled, or who will be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting may request and vote a mail mail ballot. If you are eligible to vote by mail - request your mail ballot today! The last day to submit mail ballot application is Friday, February 19, 2016 - received at the county elections office, not just postmarked.
To check your registration status in a Texas county - click here. If you find you are not registered, you can find the Voter's Registration application by clicking here. For specific information about voting in Texas, click here.
Many other citizens, including women and the elderly, also find they face just extraordinary complications in obtaining their Texas driver license, or other ID card. To get a government-issued ID, the state requires a certified copy of your birth certificate, from your state of birth. Many find they don't have an official state certified birth certificate, This group includes many African-Americans in their mid-fifties and older who were delivered by midwife in an era when many hospitals did not admit nonwhite mothers. It also includes unofficial adoptions of children given to relatives or other families to raise. Others may have had their birth and marriage records destroyed by tornado, hurricane, fire or flood.
The Texas Department of Public Safety women often challenge women on their "true identity" because 90% change their names on marriage to their husband's surname, which is different from their birth certificate surname.
Many Americans don't understand why some voters don't have a driver's license or other photo ID. A Rasmussen Reports poll in mid-2015 found support for photo ID laws at 76 percent. Democrats often accuse Republicans of attempting to keep minorities from the polls with the photo requirement, but even the Democratic Party faithful see approve of voter I.D. requirement.
Rasmussen found 58 percent of Democrats believe a government-issued ID must be shown to be able to vote. The poll also found 92 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of voters not affiliated with either major party support photo ID laws. Most do believe non-eligible (non-citizens) voting is a significant problem; Only 37 percent of all voters think it is more common for eligible voters to be prevented from voting because they lack a photo ID, than it is for non-eligible voters to vote.
But even holding their Voter Registration Certificate, many young Texans may not be able to vote, because they don't have a driver's license, concealed handgun license or passport. They may not be able to vote because Texas' SB14 voter ID law remains in effect, as of the date of this article, pending further action by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Many college dorm resident students attending college in a city or state away from their home don't have a car or a driver's license - or their birth certificate.
But students attending college in a city or state away from home can request a vote-by-mail ballot from their parent's home county elections office, if the student is registered to vote in their home county -- and did not re-register in the county where they attend college. No ID is required to request and vote a mail ballot from your home county. Application for a Ballot by Mail - click here.
Any registered Texas voter who is 65 years or older or disabled, or who will be out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting may request and vote a mail mail ballot. If you are eligible to vote by mail - request your mail ballot today! The last day to submit mail ballot application is Friday, February 19, 2016 - received at the county elections office, not just postmarked.
To check your registration status in a Texas county - click here. If you find you are not registered, you can find the Voter's Registration application by clicking here. For specific information about voting in Texas, click here.
Many other citizens, including women and the elderly, also find they face just extraordinary complications in obtaining their Texas driver license, or other ID card. To get a government-issued ID, the state requires a certified copy of your birth certificate, from your state of birth. Many find they don't have an official state certified birth certificate, This group includes many African-Americans in their mid-fifties and older who were delivered by midwife in an era when many hospitals did not admit nonwhite mothers. It also includes unofficial adoptions of children given to relatives or other families to raise. Others may have had their birth and marriage records destroyed by tornado, hurricane, fire or flood.
The Texas Department of Public Safety women often challenge women on their "true identity" because 90% change their names on marriage to their husband's surname, which is different from their birth certificate surname.
Many Americans don't understand why some voters don't have a driver's license or other photo ID. A Rasmussen Reports poll in mid-2015 found support for photo ID laws at 76 percent. Democrats often accuse Republicans of attempting to keep minorities from the polls with the photo requirement, but even the Democratic Party faithful see approve of voter I.D. requirement.
Rasmussen found 58 percent of Democrats believe a government-issued ID must be shown to be able to vote. The poll also found 92 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of voters not affiliated with either major party support photo ID laws. Most do believe non-eligible (non-citizens) voting is a significant problem; Only 37 percent of all voters think it is more common for eligible voters to be prevented from voting because they lack a photo ID, than it is for non-eligible voters to vote.
Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID:Read more at: Texas Voter Registration and I.D. Requirements For 2016
- Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
- Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
- United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States passport
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
BlogTalkUSA: Eyes Wide Open / DemBlogTalk - 01/26/2016
On our Tuesday evening BlogTalkUSA.com program this week, my co-host Rheana Nevitt Piegols and I first talked with Kenneth Sanders, who is the African America Outreach Director for Senator Bernie Sanders' Texas campaign for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Kenneth gave us his perspective on why so many volunteers across Texas are flocking to work for the Sanders campaign.
In the next program segment, Rheana and I talk with Celia Morgan, President of Texas Young Democrats and Vice-Chair of the Young Democrats of America Labor Caucus.
Our other guests Tuesday evening for a round table discussion on how Young Democrats across Texas and American are engaging in the political process were Collin County Texas Young Democrats President, Kevin Numerick, and CCYD's founder and past President Michael Messer, who is running for Collin County Justice of Peace.
These three young Democrats - actually, four, counting Rheana - engaged in a smart and insightful discussion on politics in Texas and America today. (starting at the 31 min mark on the podcast.) You don't want to miss listening to this week's podcast.
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Listen or download - MP3
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