Grassroots Power—Texas Style

Remember this foundational principle from our Declaration of Independence?

Governments are instituted among men,

deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

That is literally true in our constitutional republic—if we can keep it. Tuesday is Primary Election Day here in Texas, after two weeks already of early voting. It’s the midterm year, not the presidential election year, so there’s lower turnout. That means those who participate have more say in who our candidates will be—for Congress, for Governor, Lt. Governor, judges, and all the rest.

We have the longest ballot in the country here in Harris County. It took three posts a week or so ago to cover all the contested races.

But having a voice, as the governed, is more than electing leaders—and holding them accountable. It is also about expressing our ideas, to let the elected officials know how we want our state and country to be governed. There’s a process for letting them know, and we’re about to go through that today.

 

The Two-Year Cycle

Let’s start with the two-year cycle. A lot of people think of the four-year presidential election cycle. But, at least here in Texas, we go through a whole process every two years.

from a presentation developed by Bill Ely
for the HCRP Training and Development Committee,
which I used and adapted for the Cypress Texas Tea Party on February 19

In odd-numbered years we have our legislative session: mid-January through the end of May. There may be special sessions called (three in a row this past year, and still there was business left undone). But mainly we just have that 4 ½ months every other year. Which is good, since our freedoms are at risk whenever the legislature is in session. It takes constant vigilance to keep government in check, at every level.

When the session is over, we begin the primary season. Candidates begin their campaigns, which get fully underway by late fall filing deadlines. Here in Texas our usual Primary Election Day is the first Tuesday of March—this year that’s March 1. This ends the primary season—except for those races that had multiple candidates in which no one got over 50%; then there’s a runoff, this year set for May 26. And I expect there will be more runoff races than usual this year.

As soon as the Primary Election is over (excepting runoffs), the convention season is underway. There are multiple levels of conventions. The most local is the Precinct Convention, sometimes called a precinct caucus, or just precinct meeting. A few weeks later, the next level is the Senatorial District or County Convention. In areas like Harris County, there are multiple state senatorial districts in the county, so we don’t do it by county level. In less populous areas of the state, this level may be done by county. Then comes the State Republican Convention—this year held in Houston, in June. In presidential election years, there’s a national convention, but we’re not having one this year, so the state is this year’s top level.

Overlapping the convention season is the general election season, getting ready for that vote in November. Then, in January after that November election, the newly elected legislature is back in session.

 

Conventions—General Purpose

So what happens at a convention? The basic agenda is the same regardless of level:

·         We choose delegates to the next level up.

·         We put forth resolutions for the platform.        

There may be speeches and celebrations, and other necessary party business. But those are the two basic agenda items for every convention.

So, let’s look at each of the levels where grassroots people will be attending this year.

 

Precinct Convention

In past years, in this county, we’ve held our precinct convention on Primary Election Day, after the polls close, at the precinct polling location. A few years ago the county went to countywide voting. This is a great convenience for voters, but it hinders local politics. We don’t necessarily get to see our precinct voters at the polling location in our precinct—if there even is one within the precinct. And besides, many voted during the two weeks of early voting—which can be any of the polling locations in the county. So how do we let people know about the meetings?

Plus, since precinct chairs were often the election officials, how do we get the polls closed down, the materials delivered to the counting locations—and hold a meeting at the same time? Last year we got new voting equipment. The process kinks are still being ironed out. We got a practice run at the low-turnout election in November (ours was just school board races). We learned that closing down the polling location is more time-consuming than it had been before. And delivering materials to counting was an hours-long nightmare. (This time they have returned to multiple dropoff locations, so that may help shorten that part of the process.)

Anyway, doing the precinct meeting at the polling location on election night has become nigh unto impossible. So we’re doing our precinct conventions another day: this Saturday, March 5, if you’re local and interested in participating. Instead of at the polling location, the Harris County Republican Party has set up multiple locations according to state House districts. All the precincts belonging to that House district will meet at a location together and then break out into their separate precincts. (If you’re here in Harris County and want to know your location, the list is here.)

It used to be that the precinct chair would receive the packet of precinct convention materials when they picked up their voting materials. This year the packet will be handed to them at these House district locations. All of these meetings are open for registration at 8:00 AM, and meetings start at 9:00 AM—expect them to last about an hour.

Once the precincts get together, they follow a script that is in the packet. You identify all participants and make sure they are qualified to participate. To qualify you must have voted in the Republican Primary that just took place (and, of course, not voted this year in any other party’s primary); or, if you didn’t vote, you can take an oath of affiliation. In other words, only Republicans get to participate in Republican conventions.

Someone has to lead the meeting. So the setup is for someone, usually the Precinct Chair when available, to get things underway. This is the Temporary Precinct Convention Chair. She appoints a Temporary Secretary and any other needed officers (such as a sergeant-at-arms). Then the first order of business is to elect permanent officers. These are often the people who were temporary officers, who just continue on in official capacity, but they do not have to be. And these permanent positions are only for the business of this meeting. (The elected Precinct Chair—not to be confused with this Precinct Convention Chair—continues on with his/her duties beyond this meeting.) Elections—with brief campaign speeches, when necessary—can put in place any officers the precinct convention participants choose.

This is all done by Roberts Rules of Order. While it sounds official and somewhat intimidating, in practice it can be very simple and somewhat casual—as long as rules are followed. If two people show up, one ends up being the chair and the other the secretary, and they move forward with business. Most of the precinct conventions I’ve attended have had from 5-10 participants. Some less. One I attended had a couple dozen, but that was a rarity.

 

Electing Delegates to the District Convention

First order of business, then, is to elect delegates to the District Convention. It is my experience that the number attending is far less than the number of delegates the precinct is allowed. This is determined by a formula based on the number of Republican votes for governor in the past election. It’s done according to state party rules, and the packet shows the number, so you don’t have to do the math. For example, if you’re allowed 20 delegates, and you have 5 people at your precinct convention, all of you can go as delegates. If by some oddity, you have more people at the convention than delegates allowed, you can send alternates as well. If you’re allowed 20 delegates, you’d also be allowed 20 alternates—which means 40 attendees at your Precinct Convention would be allowed to go to the District Convention. Alternates might not have voting power at that convention—unless a delegate doesn’t show up. Then they would be seated as a regular delegate. But they could participate, regardless, in any activities not requiring voting, such as platform discussions.

Can you be a delegate at the District Convention, if you didn’t attend the Precinct Convention? Good question. You must be elected as a delegate at that Precinct Convention. However, if you know ahead of time that you cannot attend the Precinct Convention, but you know you want to attend the District Convention, you can contact your Precinct Chair, or another person planning to attend your Precinct Convention, and let them know you would like to be a delegate, and they can nominate you. If there is opportunity and the attendees are agreeable, you can be elected in absentia. You’d need to make sure they had your ID information to turn in with their report.

 

Platform Resolutions

So, about those platform resolutions. Once you’ve settled your delegates, that’s the next order of business. Did anyone bring any resolutions they’d like to put forward? If yes, then they present what they have, and the convention participants vote on whether to approve each resolution or reject it. Records are kept of both accepted and rejected resolutions. In my experience, 3-5 resolutions is a typical number. Some people bring a stack of resolutions passed on to them from friends or activists in other precincts, but they had better be able to present and defend anything they bring or it’s a waste of time. Having an idea come from multiple places is intended to show that the idea has much grassroots support. But a good idea from one single person can strike a chord and work its way up to the state platform.

At a meet-and-greet with Mark Ramsey, whom I’m supporting in the new Congressional District 38 race, he talked about seeing an idea from his precinct work its way all the way up to the national platform.

It’s suggested that you bring three copies of your resolution: one for yourself to read from, one for the Precinct Convention Chair, and one for the Secretary. Resolutions can be amended by the participants, somewhat casually, as long as rules are followed. You can even come up with a new resolution on the spot—just write it on a piece of notebook paper.

That said, there is a format, which helps lay out ideas:

Whereas: This is one reason behind our idea;

Whereas: This is another reason behind our idea;

Be It Resolved: We want this to happen.

The essential part is the “be it resolved” part—even if you just say it straight out without any formality. That is the part that would be put in the platform if accepted at the higher levels. The “whereas” clauses are giving background reasoning. When you’re in your precinct, presenting a resolution, you can say why you think it’s important, or why it should be said in a particular way. But once it is passed up the chain, people working on the platform may want to know your reasoning. If it’s there in your original document, that’s helpful to their decision-making process. But, again, if you have an idea, just spit it out and get it in some written form your precinct convention agrees to. That’s all that’s necessary.

The election of delegates and approving of resolutions should take about an hour. Maybe less, maybe a bit more, depending on size and agreeableness of your group. Once adjourned, the Precinct Convention Chair and Secretary get all paperwork copied and turned in to the County party officials as instructed. And they may want to coordinate communications about the upcoming District Convention to those who were elected as delegates.

 

Senatorial District or County Conventions

The agenda at this convention will be the same: elect delegates to the next level convention, in this case to the state convention; and work on resolutions for the platform.

At this level on up, the temporary officers do a lot more work up front. There are people handling credentials, and setting up the bigger logistics of a larger convention. In some past years we’ve held our Senatorial District Conventions at separate locations. This year we’re going back to a central location at which we will meet in separate rooms for just our districts. This helps save money on location rentals, and facilitates candidates who want to address the multiple conventions—going room to room, instead of traveling all over the county. This year ours will be held on March 26 at the Norris Center, near Town & Country (scroll down to info here).

 

Electing Delegates to State

If you want to be a delegate to the State Convention, there’s a good chance you can make that happen, but there may be competition. Usually each precinct gets to send just 2-3 delegates and 2-3 alternates. If there are more who want to go, they can try to be appointed as at-large delegates. Once you get to the State Convention, most—maybe all—of the alternates will be seated as regular delegates. If they’re not, they can be paired with a delegate and, whenever that delegate cannot be on the floor (needs lunch, or needs to be doing business elsewhere), that alternate can be seated and vote in their place. So don’t feel like an alternate isn’t important; you’ll probably act function as a regular delegate, likely for the whole State Convention.

 

Platform/Resolutions Committee—Temporary and Permanent

Those resolutions you turned in at your Precinct Convention—there’s a temporary committee, appointed by the Senatorial District Chair (or County Chair in those more rural places), who gather them, categorize them into the part of the existing platform they would pertain to, and go through each one. They try to make sure each new idea is addressed and considered. There could be hundreds, maybe even thousands of resolutions. Many will be exact duplicates, or will be similar ideas. The Temporary Resolutions (or Platform) Committee will meet to do all this gathering and sorting, along with thinking and rewording.

In large districts like the one I’m in, the Temporary Resolutions Committee will do a complete version of the platform, showing changes to existing planks and the new planks added. Many other districts or counties will just put forth a number of resolutions, in the same way as at a Precinct Convention, rather than a full platform. Either way, all this work is done in the few weeks between Precinct Convention and District Convention.

At the actual District Convention, the body elects permanent officers, which will include permanent committee members, such as these platform people. People who didn’t work on the temporary committee may still be added by the convention delegates, or replace temporary members.

That's me, working on the Permanent Resolutions Committee
at our District Convention in 2020
photo from Pauline Ramsey's Facebook page

During this all-day convention, committees meet for their duties. Rules Committee, for example, might be doing similar early and convention-day work. My experience is with the platform. We meet in a separate room from the body of the convention—while they hear speeches and do other business. (We try to get our votes in as needed—including getting ourselves elected as delegates to the State Convention. It can be hectic.) We’ll have a set amount of time to hear testimony from people who want to support a proposed resolution already being considered, or who want to present a brand new resolution they’ve thought of since the Precinct Convention. The Permanent Resolutions (Platform) Committee hears testimony and then finalizes a version of the platform—which is their Permanent Committee Report. They bring that to the body, which looks at it, discusses it—sometimes at length, sometimes almost not at all—and then votes to accept the committee’s report, which then gets sent up to the state party.

 

State Convention

The same agenda applies—except that this year we won’t have a national convention, so there won’t be election of delegates. There is election of party leadership.

This is a six-day convention. Temporary committees—whose members again are appointed by the Senatorial District Chair (one committee representative per district for each committee)—meet and do the work on Rules, Platform, Legislative Priorities, etc., on Monday through Wednesday. They take testimony and try to come up with their final work product, called the Temporary Committee Report, which will be the starting point on Thursday, when most of the delegates arrive.

During those temporary committee hearings, people can come and testify on issues, to get ideas included that they want, or to get wording the way they want. You don’t have to be a delegate to testify. People can even, again, present an entirely new idea. They have opportunity to testify in separate subcommittee hearings as well as in the committee as a whole.

On Thursday, when most of the delegates arrive, permanent committee members will be chosen. Again, these are usually the ones who did the work on the Temporary Platform Report, but not always. There were some significant changeouts last time, when delegates decided their committee members didn’t hold the prevailing views of that Senatorial District.

The Permanent Committees will have only Thursday afternoon/evening to hear more testimony and finalize any changes to the Permanent Committee Report.

These reports are presented before the entire body of delegates, and are open to floor debate, which can be either very exciting or very boring, depending on issues that come up, and how much the rules of order are used to slow the process.

With Legislative Priorities, the final report comes up with something like 15-16 priorities, which they have narrowed down from around 40 earlier in the week. And then the body votes on their priorities, which narrows it down to a top eight. So that is very grassroots. And we think the innovation of providing legislative priorities is more apt to persuade legislators to do at least these few things.

Platform is usually the last thing to be discussed on the floor. That may be by design. People are tired and ready to go home, so they’re less likely to want an extended floor debate. But another innovation from a few years ago is to have an up-or-down vote on each platform plank. Any plank that doesn’t receive 50% support gets eliminated from the platform.

Other fun things go on at the State Convention. There’s a big exhibit hall, with booths and temporary stores set up. There’s entertainment. Speeches and more speeches, of course. And outside events, like breakfasts and banquets. And lots of new people to meet—just about all working toward greater freedom in our state and country, in other words good people you’d like to have as friends.

In 2018, our kids were also delegates, so we had our
grandkids with us at the State Convention.

Did I mention that the Texas State Convention is the biggest political convention in the country? Possibly in the world. We have up to 9,000 delegates, plus visitors. It’s a big and memorable fiesta—in addition to getting the voice of the grassroots to the people who need to hear us.

It starts at the Precinct Convention. So put that on your calendar, and get your voice heard at least for that hour. 

Whatever state you’re from, there’s some version of this process. Find out what it is, and get your voice heard.

 

 

 

Platform Propositions

Tomorrow is the primary vote in Texas. That means it is also the day of precinct meetings; people go back to their precinct’s voting place after the polls close, and meet at the grassroots level. The people there choose delegates to attend the county/district convention. (Harris County is big enough to hold several state senatorial districts, so we hold district conventions.) The other matter of business is to propose content for the party platform.

Some version of this pattern happens in every state. So I thought it would be worth going over my suggestions for propositions to present at a precinct meeting.

The starting place is the existing platform, which you can probably find with an online search. The Texas GOP platform is not in bad shape right now. There have been past precinct meetings where I had plenty of input I wanted to see there. This time I’m fairly content with what’s there—with the addition of some specifics that haven’t been handled.

My son Political Sphere thinks platforms should be very short—principles only. Otherwise, holding candidates to agree is impossible and undoable. There’s too much to keep track of. And he’s probably right. But, dealing with the way things are, we can at least add our input to what’s going to be there.

I do like the first page of the 2012 platform. There’s a preamble and a list of principles. That single page probably does meet Political Sphere’s suggestion:

PREAMBLE

We STILL hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The embodiment of the conservative dream in America is Texas. Throughout the world people dare to dream of freedom and opportunity. The Republican Party of Texas unequivocally defends that dream. We strive to preserve the freedom given to us by God, implemented by our Founding Fathers, and embodied in the Constitution. We recognize that the traditional family is the strength of our nation. It is our solemn duty to protect life and develop responsible citizens. We understand that our economic success depends upon free market principles. If we fail to maintain our sovereignty, we risk losing the freedom to live these ideals.

PRINCIPLES

We, the 2012 Republican Part of Texas, believe in this platform and expect our elected leaders to uphold these truths through acknowledgement and action. We believe in:

1.      Strict adherence to the original intent of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

2.      The sanctity of human life, created in the image of God, which should be protected from fertilization to natural death.

3.      Preserving American and Texas Sovereignty and Freedom.

4.      Limiting government power to those items enumerated in the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

5.      Personal Accountability and Responsibility.

6.      Self-sufficient families, founded on the traditional marriage of a natural man and a natural woman.

7.      Having an educated population, with parents having the freedom of choice for the education of their children.

8.      Americans having the right to be safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities, and the unalienable right to defend themselves.

9.      A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies.

10.  Honoring all of those that serve and protect our freedom.

11.  “The laws of nature and nature’s God” as our Founding Fathers believed.

Then there are 21 more pages of specifics. Statements come under these headings:

·        PRESERVING AMERICAN FREEDOM—including 3 pages on limiting government, plus more on the judiciary, election integrity, and symbols of America’s heritage.

·        STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, PROTECTING LIFE AND PROMOTING HEALTH—including a lot on protecting marriage and life.

·        EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN—emphasizing local control and choice.

·        PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM AND PERSONAL SAFETY—emphasizing self-defense, religious liberties, and privacy issues.

·        STRENTHENING THE ECONOMY—Before subheadings is a restatement of the GOP platform of 1932, worth noting, because it still seems timely today:

Whereas, constructive plans for financial stabilization cannot be completely organized until our national State and municipal governments not only balance their budgets but curtail their current expenses as well to a level which ca be steadily and economically maintained for some years to come.

We urge prompt and drastic reduction of public expenditure and resistance to every appropriation not demonstrably necessary to the performance of government, national or local.

The Republican Party established and will continue to uphold the gold standard and will oppose any measure which will undermine the government’s credit or impair the integrity of our national currency Relief by currency inflation is unsound in principle and dishonest in results. The dollar is impregnable in the marts of the world today and must remain so. An ailing body cannot be cured by quack remedies. This is no time to experiment upon the body politic or financial.

·        DEFENDING SOVEREIGNTY AT HOME AND ABROAD—emphasizing Texas sovereignty, military strength, immigration, and foreign policy.

So, if you’re satisfied, great. If you see something that needs change, offer a suggestion. There’s a formal way this is done in a meeting—but don’t get too caught up in formalities. This is Texas, where the Texas Declaration of Independence (celebrated yesterday, March 2^nd) was signed in an uncomfortable wood cabin, where nobody wanted to stay longer than absolutely necessary. And Texans are still about getting it done, and worrying about cleaning up the formalities later.

The formal way is to bring four copies: one for yourself, one for the precinct chair’s files, one for the Resolution Committee for consideration at the district meeting if passed, and one for the meeting secretary to include in the minutes. You use formal wording: “Whereas…, and Whereas…, Therefore, it is proposed ….” The purpose is to give the reasons for the suggested change to the existing platform, and then present the proposed change.

But I’ve noticed a much more direct wording in the platform over the last decade. And you can offer the proposition with just the plain words you want the platform to say. In other words, direct is also acceptable. I’ve even seen small, relatively informal precinct meetings where the group discusses an issue and then someone writes out the suggestion on a piece of paper. And they edit from there until there’s wording the group agrees either to accept or reject. If accepted, by majority, it gets sent on to the district level platform committee; the district offers it’s suggestions to the state platform committee, and a final version gets voted on at the state convention.

I’ve had wording I’ve presented at my precinct end up in the district version. That feels empowering to a grassroots sort of worker.

So, below are some of my suggestions. Feel free to copy and use at your own precinct meeting, or be inspired to write your own. Do what you feel confident you can defend in a meeting. And expect alterations, either in your precinct meeting or at the next level up. In other words, don’t have to worry too much about legal wording.

My concerns this year are mainly 10^th Amendment prevention of federal usurpation of authority. 

Rejecting Obamacare

Whereas Texas rejects the federal government’s edict that free Texas citizens buy specific healthcare products through the so-called Affordable Care Act, and

Whereas Texans are forced to pay significantly higher federal taxes for this rejected edict,

Therefore it is proposed that Texans be given an exemption from paying the percentage of their federal taxes that would have gone to this rejected requirement. 

[Straightforward version: Texans should not be forced to pay, whether through taxes or other requirements, anything toward Obamacare, which is a program Texas rejects as beyond federal authority. So Texas will support Texas citizens in non-payment of that portion of federal taxes, and will pursue state solutions to protect Texans from federal coercion to pay.]

 

Rejecting Federal Department of Education

Whereas Texans believe strongly in local control of education, and

Whereas the US Constitution does not authorize federal interference in state and local education,

Therefore, it is proposed that Texas reject tax money going to a federal department of education, and supports non-payment of that portion of federal taxes that would go toward this rejected department. 

[Straightforward version: Texas supports the dissolution of the federal department of education, which has no basis in the US Constitution. Therefore, Texas will support Texas citizens in non-payment of that portion of federal taxes that would go to this rejected department, and Texas will pursue state solutions to protect Texans from federal coercion to pay.] 

Protecting Our Border

Whereas protecting international borders is a responsibility of the federal government, and

Whereas the federal government has failed to use funding provided by Congress for the purpose of protecting the Texas’s southern border, and

Whereas Texas will protect our international border, rather than allow the dangers of failure to protect, and

Whereas the cost of performing the US responsibilities of border protection are significant, and

Whereas getting costs reimbursed is difficult, inefficient, and unfair to Texas,

Therefore it is proposed that the cost of protecting the border be held in Texas, through withholding of that portion of federal tax payments, or other state solutions. 

[Straightforward version: Since the federal government has failed to protect Texas’s international border, and Texas must protect its own border, Texas can withhold payment for that portion of defense from being sent to the federal government.] 

Immigration Reform

Whereas the federal government has failed repeatedly to secure the international southern border, and

Whereas the southern border is a risk for infiltration of such evils as drug trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, and violent crime, in addition to the societal costs of non-violent illegal aliens, and

Whereas the federal government has failed to uphold current immigration laws, and

Whereas the federal government has failed to improve and streamline immigration processes,

Therefore it is proposed that no discussion of immigration reform can be considered until after the federal government has proved good faith by meeting its current obligations to secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws. 

[Straightforward version: The federal government has failed to show good faith in discussions related to border security and immigration, so until the border is secure and current laws are consistently enforced, Texas is against any further discussions on immigration reform.]

 Defense of Marriage

Whereas Texas has the right to define terms used in legal contracts recognized by the state, and

Whereas Texas has always had a specific definition for marriage requiring the contract be considered permanent and exclusive between a man and a woman, and

Whereas Texas has reinforced this longstanding definition through legislation and Constitutional Amendment, and

Whereas any other definition of marriage is likely to harm families and children, and also religious liberty,

Therefore Texas rejects the imposition of any other definition of marriage by federal entities or other states, and considers any attempt to impose any other definition a direct attack on Texas’s sovereignty, which will be rejected. 

[Straightforward version: Texas continues to assert its sovereign right to define marriage as between one man and one woman, and rejects imposition of any other definition by federal entities or other states.]

Primary Voting Information

Today’s post has specific information for Texas, but some of it might be more generally useful. I try to keep friends apprised of voter information each election, and when I update, I go to some sites I’ve linked in the body of the piece below. But if you’re in another place, you can probably compile similar information for yourself and friends by doing an online search. Use words like “primary election, [your state and/or county]” or “voter information [your state and/or county]” or possibly your state or county party of choice.

There’s specific information below about Texas precinct meetings being eliminated this year (just this year). But, while every state is different, there is usually some variation of voters meeting together on or near voting day, and choosing delegates to the next level convention and deciding on propositions for the party’s platform. This is usually the grassroots method of developing a platform. So these meetings are a very good place to have influence, with only a commitment of an hour or two of your time every other year. Party’s decide how these meetings are run, so you should be able to find out by going to your party’s state or county websites. Whatever you find out, share it with like-minded friends to multiply the influence for good. 

Voting Information 2012 Primary

Primary Voting Day

Primary voting day in Texas is Tuesday, May 29^th. The reason for the delay in voting relates to redistricting, which, because of the Voting Rights Act, requires Texas to present any voting changes for judicial review. The judicial review then led to appeal. And there was necessary time to have ballots ready to send to overseas servicemen. Early voting, from May 14-25, can be done at any county location. On May 29^th voting must be done at your precinct location. You can verify your precinct voting location here http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/current.shtml  or watch the newspaper for a few days prior to voting day. Note that redistricting may have altered some precincts and other voting districts.

Registering to Vote

As always, you must register to vote at least 30 days prior to the voting day (so, by April 29^th for voting day, or by April 12^th for the beginning of early voting).

For information about registration, see the Secretary of State’s official site: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml

If you have previously voted in your current location, you are registered, but if you are uncertain, you can check here: https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionVoter.jsp .

If you have recently moved, turned 18, or earned citizenship, then you need to register. Voter registration cards can be found at public buildings, such as libraries, post offices, and DPS offices. Forms can also be downloaded from online: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp . You are required to fill out the form, print it out (if done online), and mail with appropriate postage to your county registrar’s office, address information here: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/votregduties.shtml .

Your voter registration card shows your precinct, your US Representative district, your State Senate district, your State Representative district, your Commissioner Precinct (Sheriff), your Justice Precinct, and your school district and city, where applicable. If you do not have your card, you can look up that information at the Secretary of State site. Note that redistricting may have changed what precinct or districts you are assigned to. You can also look up your sample ballot. Use an online search engine, such as Google, for “sample ballot <your county> <your party> primary 2012.”

Voter ID

Usually if you are previously registered, you will receive your updated voter registration card in the mail prior to the election. Because of the lateness of getting a primary voting date this year, it is possible that not all voters will receive their updated card. However, your previous registration card will show the same voter ID number, which will remain in the county computer system. That information can be accessed by using your voter ID number, your TX driver’s license number, or your full name.

Texas’s new Voter ID law is intended to require a photo ID, to make sure the person voting is indeed the legally registered voter and not an impersonator. This law is still under judicial review. It may be in effect by the November election. However, it is always helpful and acceptable to use a driver’s license or other specified photo ID for voting. For those without photo ID, a photo ID can be obtained for voting purposes only at no cost through DPS offices.

Precinct Meetings

Normally precinct caucus meetings are held on primary voting days, after the polls close, usually at the precinct voting location. At these meetings delegates are chosen for the district/county conventions of the various parties. Also propositions for the party platform are voted on and sent on to the next level.

This year the date change made it impossible to hold precinct conventions on voting day and still have time for district/county conventions prior to state conventions. So most Texas counties will not hold precinct meetings in 2012.

District and county conventions will be held on Saturday, April 21^st in most counties, including Harris County. County party websites can give more detailed information, but in general it has been stated that all who are committed to a party will be welcome at the district/county conventions this year, rather than only those voted to be delegates in precinct meetings. Delegates to the state convention will be chosen from attendees at the district/county conventions. Also, platform propositions will be taken at the county/district conventions, since that opportunity was lost at the precinct level. Previous party platforms should be available for review at online state party websites.