Texas Democrats Count (For Once)
The Texas Democratic primary is a pretty strange hybrid of general voting and caucusing — and it’s not even that simple. But Texas Democrats — normally drowned in either red-statedom or late-primary irrelevancy — should take note that not only has the close Clinton/Obama race put them in a decisive position, but the quirks of Texas’ primary offer a singular opportunity to Make Your Vote Count. The short story is you get to vote twice… if you know how.
I do not generally affiliate myself with the Democratic party (or any party), but as an ardent Texan Obama supporter, I am thrilled that I might make a difference tomorrow. So for all of you intending to vote in the Democratic party primary in Texas tomorrow, I’ve collected some information on how to make the most of tomorrow:
- Texas does not register voters by party affiliation. This means that as long as you are registered to vote, you can vote in the Democratic (or Republican) primary tomorrow. The act of voting in the primary affiliates you with that party for the rest of the year (and for the precinct conventions notably).
- Texas has a two part method for assigning its 168 pledged delegates (a Texas two-step if you will, ahem). 126 will be chosen in the primary election, assigned proportionally by precinct, as opposed to the state-wide proportion as in most states. The remaining 42 delegates will be chosen in conventions that will be held on election day in each voting district, and again assigned proportionally per precinct based on those who choose to attend and vote at these precinct conventions. (For more information on how the precinct dynamics change the expected results, read this excellent article.)
- Anybody who voted in the Democratic primary election may vote in their precinct convention, to be held at 7:00pm election day, March 4th. You only need to bring proof that you voted (either on election day, or in early voting) to your precinct convention to participate.
- To be clear, the precinct conventions are a huge extra opportunity for you to sway more delegates in favor of your candidate. It’s like voting, but amplified. Do it and bring your friends!
To summarize, here’s what you do tomorrow:
- Step 1 – Vote in the primary election. To find your polling location, enter your address here. Yes, it’s Obama’s site, but honestly it’s the best statewide polling location finder I’ve found. Every vote counts here, as small changes in vote count can shift single delegates within the individual districts.
- Step 2 – Caucus! Show up at your precinct convention location (also available at that Obama link above), which is probably the same as your voting location, with proof you voted in the Democratic primary and commit your support for your chosen candidate. You may also want to familiarize yourself with the format for the convention minutes, which should give you an idea of what to expect. The precinct conventions are extra important, as you will be part of a small number of people with the ability to directly influence delegates.
I’m looking forward to taking part in this whole process tomorrow — I hope it will be taking part in history in the making.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Does it look like a close race in Texas between Hill and Obama?
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
oops, I guess you answered my question in the first paragraph
March 4th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I hope you’re going to have a followup post on your experience in the convention that occurs today.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
rush limpbag is urging his rushbots to vote for Hillary, not sure how big an effect this might be… hopefully swamped by Obama’s momentum, but it’s Texas… so who knows…
Perhaps the February fundraising #s can give us some clue as to which way the wind is blowing?
Obama something like $50 million
Hillary $35 million
McCain $12 million
McCain wanted that Haggee endorsement so bad… how is that working out?
yMatt, will you be voting McCain if that (in your words) “team killing fucktard” wins the final D nomination? Just curious, thx.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
By way of a little silly liveblogging, I’m here at my district caucus, and there are an astounding number of people here. Lines around the block at 7:15 and caucus votes are still being taken down at 8:05. most people are leaving once their choice has been written down, but I’m sticking arounf to watch the caucus process.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Don’t feel too down ymatt, I was really hoping Obama would take my state (CA) and make a decisive sweep on the last Super Tuesday. Looks like Obama is ahead in the caucusing (which Hillary is now casting doubt on the results of that process… sheesh) and still ahead in the total delegate count.
I think both of them are excellent candidates (Hillary less so due to her Billage, er, I mean baggage, and the whole rwnj frothing at the mouth hating ‘the bitch’ thing).
March 6th, 2008 at 10:13 am
This should be of concern to everyone.
http://www.star-telegram.com/dallas_news/story/486413.html
Sounds like the secret service isn’t doing their job… in Dallas…
Anyone else remember a D leader who inspired and energized America?
Anyone recall what happened to him?
And no, I am not talking about Paul Wellstone. Think back… further back…
March 6th, 2008 at 11:26 am
This is a bit worrisome.
This is from the Secret Service spokesman:
http://www.star-telegram.com/dallas_news/story/489920.html
March 12th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
So ymatt, what is your sense (if any) of the impact the rushbots may have had on the Obama/Clinton primary votes? Rush and the rw echo chamber were urging folks to vote for Clinton (she just doesn’t poll as well against McCain).
I wonder if Obama won the caucuses because his people were more dedicated / willing to stick around and invest some time in caucausing (rather than throwing a vote to The M…. Hillary which would seem pretty quick painless and basically anonymous). Any talk about this in Texas?
March 21st, 2008 at 9:02 am
thx for your insights ymatt
even Time magazine is covering this now:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1723756,00.html