Federal Panel Sets New Primary Date – April 3, 2012
December 20th, 2011Joint Statement from TDP and RPT on Agreement Regarding 2012 General Primary Election
Parties have submitted a joint agreed proposal to the San Antonio federal panel.
On Friday, December 16, 2011, the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) and the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) issued a statement announcing that the two parties have submitted a joint agreed proposal on the 2012 General Primary Election to the U.S. District Court three-judge panel in San Antonio.
The parties’ joint proposal provides for an April 3, 2012 unified primary date, along with adjusted dates, deadlines and requirements in respect to its administration.
RPT State Chairman Steve Munisteri said, “I am pleased that we could come to an agreement and I hope that most Republican elected officials and Texas voters will be satisfied with this proposal. We are hopeful that with both a timely ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court and subsequent finalized maps, that this agreement not only preserves the original structure of a unified primary, but provides us enough time to accomplish it in a fair and orderly fashion. Furthermore, this agreement addresses the concern of both the TDP and RPT by providing a timeline which still allows us to hold our respective state conventions and national delegate selection in June.”
TDP State Chairman Boyd Richie said, “We’re glad to have worked out an agreement which we feel works best for Texans. Given the less than ideal circumstances, we think that this election schedule is a workable solution that will create the least confusion for the voters. We’re pleased that the agreement maintains a unified primary which will save taxpayers money.”
Notable details of the agreement submitted to the panel are as follows:
- February 1, 2012 - New residency deadline for candidates seeking election to the Texas House and Texas Senate.
- February 1, 2012, 6:00pm - New deadline of court-ordered reopened filing period, in which candidates for all offices have the opportunity to amend, withdraw or file a new application for the ballot.
- February 3, 2012 - New deadline for County Executive Committees to conduct drawing for candidate order on ballot.
- April 3, 2012 - Date of the 2012 General Primary Election.
- April 14 or April 21, 2012 - Date of County and Senatorial District Conventions, as determined by the State Chair of each political party.
- June 5, 2012 - Date of the 2012 General Primary Runoff Election.
Nothing in the order shall be construed by the Court or the parties as a waiver of the positions of each party with respect to the schedule or conduct of the upcoming election. The parties’ positions as stated at the December 13, 2011 hearing are expressly reserved. Additionally, the Republican and Democratic parties have agreed that it is necessary to have a primary early enough in April to allow them to conduct their statutorily required conventions as previously planned.
UPDATED DECEMEBER 16: The U.S. District Court three-judge panel in San Antonio signed into effect the proposed agreement between the Texas Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Texas as documented above.
Per the signed order – the new date of the 2012 General Primary Election is set as Tuesday, April 3, 2012.
Please note – the current filing deadline to submit an application for the primary ballot will end on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 6:00pm.
The court order provides for a reopened filing period which will begin at a date to be determined. We will keep you informed of any further announcements or developments regarding federal court action which affects these rulings.
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Note: Reportedly the courts will reopen filing again sometime in the first quarter of 2012.
Redistricting Update from the Republican Party of Texas
December 14th, 2011December 13, 2011
Dear Texas GOP leadership and candidates:
As we wrap up a very long day from today’s redistricting hearing in front of the federal panel in San Antonio, we wanted to again keep you informed of the latest news and where we anticipate going from here.
The majority of the issues that were addressed today related to the immediate and pressing issue of candidate filing. Tomorrow, we expect an order from the panel that will ratify the agreement between the two political parties to extend candidate filing through Monday, December 19th for all races and positions on the ballot. We are instructing candidates to file their applications using the intended district number and designation for the office they are seeking.
There is, of course, the difficulty of how to best proceed without finalized maps. We have asked that the panel provide an opportunity for candidates who have already filed to be able to amend or withdraw their filing, should the need arise.
Under this solution, if a candidate files to run in a State Representative district whose number changes from the current map to a different number on a finalized map – the candidate would be able to either amend the designation on their application or be afforded the option of withdrawing their application if they choose not to run. Importantly, we are asking the panel to order that candidates who choose to withdraw their application will also be entitled to a refund of the filing fee, if they choose not to run based on the new district lines. This will apply to all candidates at every level.
If the court ratifies the proposal, this will also provide the opportunity for new candidates to file for a position once its district lines are finalized. In other words, filing will be re-opened once all court redistricting is finalized. In many cases, this will give an opportunity to a candidate who was running for a different position that is no longer an option to them. In other cases, it may open the race up to a newcomer in the contest who was not previously eligible.
We know this solution is imperfect, but like all of you, we are working to come up with the best possible, workable and fair solutions so the panel can get them approved, and we can quickly get focused back on the administration of these important elections. These proposals, if ratified by the panel, will allow for the quickest and most fulfilling method of handling the vast majority of candidate filings now, instead of creating a bigger problem days or weeks closer to the date of the election.
As to determining that date – we want to inform you that all parties will be in mediation on Thursday to discuss how to proceed with the timing of the election beyond the filing period. But again, a note of caution – with the exception of the court’s announcement that they would sign an order on Wednesday which extends the deadlines, all other anticipated actions we have discussed are not a certainty until they are submitted to the court and signed. We do anticipate that occurring tomorrow afternoon. As always, we will keep you informed as soon as we have any news to pass along so that you can keep informed in your campaigns and in your community.
We cannot begin to express how grateful we are for your continued patience, and for the support you have shown in this process. If you have any questions that we have not answered or not considered, please let us know. We will be in contact again soon with more updates.
Early Voting Begins!
October 22nd, 2011Early voting for the Texas Constitutional Amendment and Local Election will begin on Monday, October 24. All Texans will vote on 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, some of which are controversial. There are a variety of online sources for information on these amendments, and Northwest Austin Republican Women President Michele Samuelson has compiled a list of links to analyses from both sides of the aisle. Informed voters can find Michele’s list at Blue Dot Blues.
In addition to the 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution, many Williamson County residents will also be voting on a variety of local proposals.
Hutto Independent School District is asking voters to approve a tax increase of $.06 per $100 valuation. This will give HISD residents a school tax rate of $1.60.
Highlands at Mayfield Ranch Municipal Utility District, Northwoods Road District No. 1, Williamson County Water, Sewer, Irrigation and Drainage District No. 3, Wilco-Liberty Hill MUD, and others are seeking voter approval for various bond packages, (which amount to approval for a tax increase.) Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 1(Jollyville) is seeking approval of a 1% local sales and use tax.
The City of Round Rock has 10 of its own propositions on the ballot. Propositions #1-8 are merely ‘housekeeping,’ and update terms and definitions in the City Charter. Propositions #9 and #10 are more controversial.
*Proposition 9 adds 2% to the local hotel tax to finance an indoor sports venue. The tax is estimated to bring in $630,000 per year, and the sports facility is estimated to cost $12 million, which, according to the city website ”does not include land, design and engineering costs or related infrastructure.” It is unclear as to whether the venue tax will cover all costs.
*Proposition 10 regards a half-cent sales tax approved by voters back in 1997. The original approval was under the condition that the funds would be used only for major road and transportation projects related to economic development. This tax, called “Type B revenue,” is limited by Texas law to economic development programs, and Round Rock originally limited theirs to road and transportation. If voters approve Proposition 10, the city can use the revenues for other economic development projects as defined by State Law. According to literature from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs these uses include:
“Paying for land, buildings, equipment, facilities expenditures, targeted infrastructure and improvements found suitable for the use of…professional and amateur sports and athletic facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities, convention facilities, public park purposes and event facilities (including stadiums, ballparks, concert halls, etc.) * related store, restaurant, concession, parking and transportation facilities * related street, water and sewer facilities * affordable housing.”
Sample ballots are available at the Williamson County Elections Department website.
Remember that during the Early Voting period, you may vote at any location in the county. However, on Election Day you may only vote at the assigned location for your precinct.
FULL TIME LOCATIONS, Open Oct. 24-November 2, 8am to 6pm, No Sunday Voting, and November 3 and 4 7am to 7pm.
Main Location: Williamson County Inner Loop Annex, 301 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown.
Branch Locations:
Anderson Mill Limited District
Cedar Park Public Library
Parks & Recreation Admin. Building, Georgetown
McConico Building, Round Rock
Brushy Creek Community Center, Round Rock
Taylor City Hall
Pat Bryson Municipal Hall, Leander
Cedar Park Randalls, Cypress Creek Road
Round Rock Randalls, Gattis School Road
J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex, Round Rock
MOBILE – TEMPORARY LOCATIONSMonday, October 24 through Wednesday, November 2, 10am to 6pm, No Sunday Voting
Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4, 7am to 7pm
Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4, 7am to 7pm
Oct 24, Monday: Seton Medical Center Williamson, 201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock
Oct 25, Tuesday: Granger City Hall, 214 E. Davilla, Granger
Oct 26, Wednesday: RR Higher Education Center, Round Rock
Oct 27, Thursday: Clairmont Retirement Community, 12463 Los Indios Trail, Austin
Oct 28, Friday: Liberty Hill Annex, 3407 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
Oct 29, Saturday: Liberty Hill Annex, 3407 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
Oct 31, Monday: Jarrell Memorial Park, 1651 CR 305, Jarrell
Nov 1, Tuesday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 2, Wednesday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 3, Thursday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 4, Friday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Oct 25, Tuesday: Granger City Hall, 214 E. Davilla, Granger
Oct 26, Wednesday: RR Higher Education Center, Round Rock
Oct 27, Thursday: Clairmont Retirement Community, 12463 Los Indios Trail, Austin
Oct 28, Friday: Liberty Hill Annex, 3407 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
Oct 29, Saturday: Liberty Hill Annex, 3407 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
Oct 31, Monday: Jarrell Memorial Park, 1651 CR 305, Jarrell
Nov 1, Tuesday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 2, Wednesday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 3, Thursday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
Nov 4, Friday: Hutto City Hall, 401 W. Front St., Hutto
REMEMBER, YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Resigns Over Global Warming
September 15th, 2011Legislative Committee member Brenda Fouch, who holds a Master’s Degree in Earth Sciences and Geomicrobiology, closely follows environmental and energy policy in the U.S. She has alerted us to the following story about how Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Ivar Giaever has resigned from the American Physical Society over the group’s “promotion of man-made warming fears.”
Dr. Giaever’s research and subsequent opinions indicate that the scientific community does not have ‘consensus’ on issues of global warming or climate change. Read the full article here: http://www.climatedepot.com/a/12797/Exclusive-Nobel-PrizeWinning-Physicist-Who-Endorsed-Obama-Dissents-Resigns-from-American-Physical-Society-Over-Groups-Promotion-of-ManMade-Global-Warming
“Now Is Not the Time To Raise Taxes on Anybody”
September 13th, 2011House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is taking issue with President Obama’s $447 billion ‘Jobs Bill.’ Noting that the bill calls for tax increases, Cantor says “Now is not the time to raise taxes on Anybody.” Read Eric Cantor’s Majority Leader blog here: http://majorityleader.gov/Blog/
House Speaker John Boehner has requested that the CBO score the President’s jobs plan immediately. Meanwhile, Senator Harry Reid has permitted Senate consideration of nine job-creating bills passed by the House. Read more here: http://conservativedailynews.com/2011/09/democrats-are-blocking-jobs-bills/
