Texas is very kind to the undecided voter.
Vote for both!

Posted on | 23 February 2008 | 2 Comments

Clinton?

Obama?

For those of us having trouble making up our minds about which candidate to support in the Texas Democratic Party presidential primary, the state party offers us an out. That “out” comes in the two-phase voting process laid out under state party rules.

Voting itself is easy for phase one. A voter may go to one of the early voting places, and cast a vote in advance of election day. One may apply to vote by mail. Finally, those who to savor the tradition can hold out until election day itself. That’s part one.

The second part is the Democratic Party Precinct Convention. It is held at the voting place on election day after the polls close. This is where actual delegates begin their journey to the national convention. It also is where resolutions are presented, debated and voted upon. It also is where you get to vote a second time.

A small number of state delegates are set aside. The general vote selects the bulk of the delegates, but this group is set aside for the precinct convention. It is not a caucus. All you have to do is show up and sign in for your candidate or undecided. The tallies at the precinct conventions choose those delegates. It’s kind of a reward for knowing the rules and to get people to the conventions.

So, if a Texas Democrat is undecided, there is a solution. Figure out who you think you like a little better. Vote for that person at the ballot box. Then, you can go to the precinct convention and cast the “smaller” vote for the other person.

Cover all your bases.

Happy voting!

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