10 Things you need to know about the Texas Democratic Primary and Precinct Conventions (Caucus)
Categories: Politics and Elections
Written By: Shawn Williams
1. Texas has an open primary
You do not have to “register” with either party in order to vote in the Texas Primary. All registered voters are free to cast a ballot in either the Republican or Democratic Primary
2. Get proof that you voted
Someone should stamp your card when you vote to denote that you participated in the primary. Make sure that they don’t forget because you don’t want to be left out of the precinct convention. Also note that provisional voters may participate in the precinct convention.
3. It doesn’t matter if you vote early or on Primary Day.
There has been some discrepancy here, but early voters are welcome to participate in the precinct conventions as are those who vote on primary day.
4. Return to YOUR precinct.
In early voting you are able to vote at polling places throughout your county. However you must attend the precinct convention at your polling place designated by where you live. Sometimes multiple precincts will hold separate conventions in the same facility. Find out exactly where yours will be.
5. Try to return to your precinct NO LATER THAN 7:15 p.m.
The precinct convention is scheduled to begin at 7:15 across the state. Get there early to ensure your full participation. If you are late you can still participate, however you cannot change what has already happened.
6. The precinct convention does not have to start at 7:15.
Precinct conventions may not begin until the last voter has voted at the precinct polling place (TX Elec. Code Sec. 174.022). Anyone in line to vote at your precinct and votes in the Democratic Primary is eligible to attend the Democratic Precinct Convention.
7. You are not re-voting at the precinct convention
Some people believe that voters will cast another ballot at the precinct convention and that’s it. The precinct convention is similar to a caucus, though caucus is not the proper term for the event.
When you sign in at the precinct convention (see sign in sheet here), you will list which candidate you support. The percentage of individual supporters for each candidate will be calculated and delegates will be allocated accordingly.
Those in attendance at the precinct convention will select delegates to represent them at the county/senatorial convention (urban areas can have more than one convention by Texas Senatorial District). Those county/senatorial delegates will then go on to the State Convention.
See Delegate breakdown by region here.
8. Delegates can switch their allegiance.
It is important to select delegates that strongly represent your candidate. By rule, a delegate can change their mind at the county or state convention up until sign in.
9. Elect alternates
Make sure your convention elects alternate delegates to serve at the county/senatorial convention. The alternates should reflect the percentage of delegates assigned to your candidate.
You wouldn’t want an alternate who supports your opponent to replace someone pledged to your candidate. IMPORTANT: Each precinct convention is entitled to elect one alternate for each delegate the precinct gets to elect to the County/Senatorial District Convention.
10. He/she who knows the rules has the power.
Each convention will elect a permanent convention chair and a permanent secretary. In many cases they will be people who work with the party and have extensive knowledge of the process. They will also have a candidate that they are supporting as well.
It is important that when you attend the precinct convention that you have as much information as possible. That way if something shady goes on, you can stop it before it gets to far. Once the precinct convention is over, it’s too late. Find out about voter education training in your area. Anyone reading this can become a convention chair at their precinct convention.
Knowledge is power, and now you’re ready for the Texas Two Step.
Sources: Texas Democrats Precinct Information, Precinct Convention 101, Chairman Boyd Richie’s Memo to Convention Chairs, The Lone Star Project
February 25th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I did not know I need to go back to the polls on March 4th even though I have already voted. This information needs to get out to the public so Hillary will get the needed delegates from TEXAS.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hilary is a big loser. Spltting 42 delegates is not going to do much for her.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
We have Ralph Nader to thank for giving us George Bush. Anyone who can do math can understand that.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
ralph nader is a fool and a republican tool
February 26th, 2008 at 11:40 am
We’re counting on you Tx…the nation needs an experienced and strong leader…the nation needs Hillary Rodham Clinton. She’ll not only steadfastly command the military, but she’ll help us to rebuild America. She’ll put us to work building roads and levees and being teachers, counselors, doctors and nurses. Never again should we elect a “good guy” who is a uniter and not a divider, with no foreign policy experience…it doesn’t work out well. Let’s nominate someone who constantly stands for us and we know and trust that she will do what she says she will.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Obama needs at least 8 more years of experience in the political arena before being considered a viable candidate for the presidency of the United States. Our country, our economy, our world, our planet are in peril as a result of the inadequencies and erroneous decisions and actions of the Republican Administration during the last seven years. We need a commander in chief who has the strength, determination, dedication, compassion, intelligent acuity with an abundance of experience in the political arena to really turn things around, and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the one who will do that if elected. We don’t need anymore “pie in the sky” - been there, done that.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
This two step process is bullshit.
Democratic officials, please develope a better method.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Remember we Dems are in this together. Hilary is experienced in the cut throat ways of DC and may be able to “force” some changes but Obama is looking to change it from cut throat to true representation as it should be. To say it can’t be done, is saying that it is not worth the fight. I think we all know what is right but are we willing to do what is needed? “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
February 28th, 2008 at 6:02 am
Actually the whole government needs to get off its can and implement internet voting. If it can be made secure for financial transactions, it can be made secure for voting.
If they could do that, I wouldn’t mind doing it twice. (Assuming they provided good enough servers so on Caucus day the machines weren’t overloaded and had enough bandwidth.)
Imagine the voter turnout if you didn’t have to schedule around work or suffer traffic, and could do it from your home or workplace.
Regarding Hillary and Obama… I don’t trust Hillary to act with integrity when serving our country. We’ve had enough shenanigans from current and past Presidents, and her track record indicates to me that she’ll be no different.
This has nothing to do with ideology. Integrity and comportment crosses political lines and even within the same party is much more important than specifics of campaign promises and policy nitpicking.
I’m not going to agree 100% with ANY candidate. To most people, voting is a choice of going with the candidate they agree with 90% vs the candidate they agree with 85%. To me, the character of the candidates trumps all that. I want to know how the person will act for all the issues that aren’t under debate. The thousand of other decisions that will have to be made.
How that person will represent us is what it’s all about. Details of health care… my eyes glaze over, and it’s all going to be a compromise with the House and Senate anyway.
Do I trust Hillary to represent me with integrity? No way. Obama? Actually… yes. And that’s not something I can say about any Presidential candidate in a long while.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I am voting for Hillary. My vote may not get her a win, but I’ll always know I did the right thing. When the time comes I’ll then vote Dem all the way whoever it may be. If it is O, let it be known that we will have to work extra hard to get that pie in the sky. This hype has to endure. Young and old get ready to roll up your sleeves because it will only happen if you walk the walk.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I agree with Bette Goree that Obama needs 8 more years experience before taking on the position of commander in chief. I really believe he is an effective leader and can do a lot to help our country. However, he does not have enough experience to clean up the mess that George Bush is leaving our country in. We need someone who knows the ropes of Washington and will be able to take the reigns and get our country back on tract beginning day one. To quote the words of Hillary herself, “It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and it will take a Clinton to clean up after the second one.”
ws the ropes of Washington and will be able to take the rei
March 4th, 2008 at 1:54 am
hillary has what experience as president. her only job as president wife was to keep him happy, which she obviously failed at. If she can’t keep one man happy, what makes you think she can keep us all happy.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
As much as I hate to admit it, I’ma Republican who is going to vote in the Democrstic primary for the sole purpose of voting against Ms. Hillary.
The are so many skeletons hanging in her closet that one could open a terrifying Haloween side show.
She is the personification of the idea of letting (or requiring ) the government to do all things for all people, to hell with the cost to the average tax payer. In most societies, that’s called socialism pure and simple.
I hope to the powers above that if that phone does ring in the wee hours at the White House, she’ll be tucked away in her government furnished house in New York, where donning a Yankee baseball cap seems to qualify one to be a member of the United States Senate.
March 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Vern, I also hate to admit that as a Repubician I voted in the Democratic primary for a similar reason. It is my opinion that neither Hillary, Obama or McCain have the qualifications needed to be President. Whether you vote Democrat or Republican we are nominating the best of the worst. This will be the first Cacus that I’ve been able to participate and I’m looking forward to the process.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hillary Clinton has the experience to cut through the gridlock in Washington. She has shown she can work with people on both sides of the aisle.
We know what her voting record is. The press tells us all the time.
Obama talks about change but is very non specific as to what changes. Look at his voting record which the press has failed to publish.
Also, he is chair of an important committee on Afghansistan, but he has not called one meeting. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton has had three committee meetings while continuing to run for president.
George Bush ran on the premise that we need change. He had no foreign policy experience. Obama is doing the exact same thing. Look what the last 8 yrs have been like. Do you want 8 more?
Vote for Clinton who will protect our nation and our military.
March 4th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hillary is what happens the morning after a long night of mexican food and hard alcohol.
Save America, vote Obama.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
When did this caucus thing first start in Texas?
March 4th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
WHY CAUCUS IN TEXAS?
March 5th, 2008 at 12:30 am
NO MORE CLINTONS!!! I, and a LOT of other people I know, voted for Hillary Clinton just to try to keep Obama from becoming the Democratic candidate…..John McCain can beat
Hillary Clinton in the Presidential election in November and we will at least have an man with military experience, a man who knows something about foreign policy, cares about the environment and who is a champion of the unborn. You cannot blame George Bush for the mess he inherited….put the blame where it belongs….right on Mr. “I didn’t have sex with that woman.” liar Bill Clinton. NO MORE CLINTONS…..thank you very much!
March 5th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Oh yes, poor George. What Bush INHERITED was a $127 billion surplus, which he managed to turn into a $1.9 TRILLION debt. What Bush INHERITED was a nation at peace, but he promptly sent us to war so that over 3000 Americans could die and over 30,000 could be wounded for his cause (which we’re still not clear on). What Bush INHERITED was a military whose benefits were barely adequate, and despite his rhetoric to “support the troops” he managed to decimate their benefits and their health care. What Bush INHERITED was a U.S. Constitution that was designed to PROTECT the people; what he attempted to do was not only write discrimination INTO the Constitution, but dilute its power and weaken it to the point where he could run his fascist agenda legally. Sounds like you need to turn Rush Limbaugh off and start doing your own research.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
hi, i am a demacrat. i don,t really understand the cacus thing. hillary is the right man woman for the job.
men do not want a women in office,and that is what it boils down to.
go hillary go.. you,re truly
shirley palmer
bloomington,il
March 5th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
You all foolish to fight over who is better. People accusing others of racism, negative campaigning, but this is what POLITICS is. if you didnt know. there is no such thing as good or bad. YOU THINK ” CHANGE WE BELIVE IN” will matter. DO you have any idea how many candidates in the past said the similar thing but yet FAIL TO DELIVER? too many. now you think OBAMA will make any exception? its funny how almost ALL African Americans vote for AAs. I hear threaten to boycott the vote and stuff, and candidate who doenst vote for AAs. YET you claim this is not about RACISM? its funny and rediculous some says SOme on from Clinton made OBAMA picture darker then it is?What kind of LOWEST LOWEST claim is this?
MAKE SURE everyone know OBAMA States good judgement yet HE ADMIT TO USE THE COCAIN in the past, WHAT KIND OF GOOD JUDGEMENT IS THIS as the LEADER OF FREE WORLD TO HAVE? ( what you gona tell me now … it was in the past?” other excuses?” ANd those who support OBAMA know this HE SIGNED to KEEP the troops in the IRAQ.
All he can bring up is the “…Na Na Na… Clinton signed to go to war …” ” ditched the BUS? YOU DONT STATE your own JUDGEMENT quality. its others to decide. And WHEERE DA HE CK was OBAMA when 9/11 in NY happend? I dont remember seeing him in the news? What did he really do to help victims> and FAMILY ?
OBAMA is nothing but NONSENSE fast talker and TALK IS CHEAP . DIG DOWN and find out WHAT HE really stand for and what he really done to help. THIS IS ALL AAs ambition and HIs own ambition not USA to move forward.