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% |
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