"I'll be handling your (Texas) precinct's caucus"

[texastoast]

Well, well, well.

I'm an election judge for a precinct and got a call this evening from one of the candidate's precinct captains who informed me that she would be handling the precinct convention. Could she come by and pick up the necessary paperwork?

No, I said. You are more than welcome to come by and review with me the convention paperwork, time permitting, on Tuesday and familiarize yourself with the procedures, but I couldn't turn over the paperwork to her until she had been duly elected as the permanent precinct convention chair. She seemed surprised when I told her that the convention would be conducted in strict accordance with Texas Democratic Party rules.

She sounded a bit crestfallen. I wonder if her candidate told her that she could familiarize herself with the rules on the TDP's website. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

[stop the bleeding]

1. you must be very excited to have a hand in history like this

:thumbsup:

[texastoast]

3. It's a rare Texas primary

when we count for anything. Record numbers of early votes. Record numbers of Democratic voters in my 78% straight Republican ticket county.

I early voted on Thursday and had to WAIT FOR A DEMOCRATIC booth!!!

:woohoo:

[BeatleBoot]

4. Wow, sounds like a lot of Republicans are voting Democratic (?)

Do you think that's the case?

[stop the bleeding]

6. yeah no doubt texastoast

please keep us updated and please provide some insight if possible, we're starved for info

[texastoast]

7. I do think in Texas there is some cross-over

Some of the votes for Barack are to be sure Hillary is not the nominee. These folks will vote McCain in November.

Others are true "I'm-sick-of-the-fucking-Republican-lies-and-my-money-doesn't-count-for-much-so-I'm-switching-for-this-election" voters.

For the last group, I hope that Democratic integrity is way up there--no corruption, no blow jobs, no stupid "I've-got-tha-power" maneuvers that will turn off 2010 and 2012 voters. This last group is up for grabs if the Dems keep their act together.

[meow mix]

23. thats mostly conspiratory fear-mongering. the truth is... when people decide to support someone..

they generally do it.

heres a tip; dont let hillary fill your head with fear.

[BeatleBoot]

39. Actually its the truth and TexasToast just explained that to you.

[lapfog_1]

58. Uh, no, that's not what texastoast said.

They said it MAY be happening, but that there are many republicans who are tired of republican candidates (that would include McCain) and are switching to Democrats for this election cycle... and if we don't screw things up, they might continue voting Democratic.

[blogslut]

14. Do you know any Texas Republicans?

If you did, well, you don't know any is my guess.

[texastoast]

17. I've seen many Republican changes of heart

I have more faith, now that I've heard "I'm never voting for another Republican!"

But I'm glad that the Texas Republicans have a choice, because (and I'm not saying this to be ugly because I really like both candidates for what they bring to the table) if it were just Hillary who was the Dem candiate, we wouldn't be doing nearly so well here.

[blogslut]

24. I got a feeling

Huckabee is gonna get some good numbers in Texas. That will be fun ;)

[BeatleBoot]

38. Absolutely - Dallas Area - Garland, Plano, Grand Prairie

why do you ask?

Sorry I've been away.

[blogslut]

41. And they strike you as the kind of people

...that would deign to play Democratic reindeer games? Really? You think they enjoy getting a big old red stamp on their voter card that says DEMOCRAT? You think they're gonna waltz in November and wave that card that says DEMOCRAT in front of all the other Texas Republicans?

Do you really think that? Being, you know Texans so well and all...

[BeatleBoot]

62. 2 out of 3

Yep.

[theboss]

30. I wish someone would post an email allegedly telling Republicans to vote for Obama

because that has not been done here yet.

[JackORoses]

44. why do you even ask? just post your article blaming Hillary's loss in Texas on Repubs and move on

[Cha]

2. Interesting..I hope all

goes well with everything in Texas.

[Adelante]

5. I hope all of the election judges in the precincts know to follow that procedure

Yikes.

[Zhade]

8. NICE! Well done, tt - that was integrity!

NT!

[VolcanoJen]

9. Hmmm. Which candidate's precinct captain?

Interesting, to say the least.

And THANK YOU from Ohio... we're Junior Tuesday Partners! :-)

[texastoast]

13. Well, I just got the second call

So I'm thinking I've heard from both precinct captains.

[VolcanoJen]

21. As a precinct captain in Ohio...

... do you think they've been instructed to call you before Tuesday?

We've certainly received no such instructions... but of course my CD is a primary. :-)

[texastoast]

27. Apparently, yes

I really liked the first call. "I'll be handling your caucus."

Neppers, sweetie!

[VolcanoJen]

28. Good for you

I certainly know better than to call an election judge at home on a Sunday night, for any reason at all. Tuesday is Game Day. Lodge your complaints/issues/compliments at that time.

"Neppers, sweetie!"

Classic. :-)

[Johnny__Motown]

10. Nice job, thanks for defending our democracy

against those damn cheaters.

[southern_belle]

11. Good for you!

Don't let them run over you. :toast:

[blogslut]

12. Jumping the gun, eh?

Naughty naughty.

[woolldog]

15. Posts like this scare me.

It certainly sounds as if she's trying to steal the election. :scared:

texastoast, do you think this strategy is going to have any success???? or do the democratic party people, like you, running the caucus know what they're doing???

[texastoast]

19. I don't know

I do know that if someone wants to challenge the validity of the precinct caucus, they certainly can.

I'm working to prevent that, and I think that a lot of the other election judges are quite savvy to this kind of crap.

[woolldog]

22. are you an attorney?

is each person in charge of a precinct an election judge? and how many precincts are we talking about in Texas?

Is there any way to warn all the election judges about the tactics some overzealous supporters are being instructed to use?

Thanks.

[texastoast]

29. We have precinct chairs

sometimes. If the precinct where I'm judging had a chair, I wouldn't be getting all this attention. The candidates' precinct captains would be wooing the chair instead.

Election judges and clerks are supposed to attend election law training. Most people I know who have signed on for the election wouldn't dream of not attending.

I'm thinking many of us in the more populous areas have been informed of the campaigns' tactics. I don't know about the other areas.

[anamandujano]

20. See post #13.

[aaroh]

16. I hope people will film possible shenanigans inside the Texas Primaries

We wouldn't want another New Hampshire debacle now would we?

[texastoast]

18. No cameras allowed in polling places

No cell phones out either.

[crispini]

25. Ah yes, but the caucus is not the polling place.

Since it's an open meeting, you can have them there.

Mine, I am reasonably confident, is going to be a zoo. :crazy:

[texastoast]

31. Gosh, no

It's hard enough to keep people off the phones during the election. I've had some folks get PISSED when I tell them to take it outside.

Now, I was told that the voters "shouldn't" have their phones going while they wait in line because of the possibility of violating the no electioneering rule within 100 feet of the poll. Like we're going to be able to stand outside and watch.

[crispini]

32. This is why I'm having my caucus in a different room.

We can finish voting and close the polls in peace and the zoo can gather over there in the gym with their video cameras and their campaign gear and all that crap and I'll come by just as soon as the last voter has voted.

Thank heaven I have a couple of good clerks not from my precinct who don't want to caucus to button everything up and take all it downtown for me. :D

[texastoast]

34. That's what I'm doing

I've got to get back to my own precinct's convention because I really want to try getting elected as a SD delegate this time, plus I've got my anti-TTC resolutions to present. Then my two clerks are going to hand off the convention paperwork, wait for the poll book, and with any luck get the convention paperwork for my county chair. I have to meet up with them after my convention, complete the paperwork and do turn in. That's the best I can do. It is going to be a L-O-N-G day!

:bounce:

[crispini]

26. I know someone who is an election judge who already got a similar call.

She's like "um, you don't get it until 7:15 Tuesday, sorry."

LOL! :D

[stillcool]

33. Good for you...

I suppose the 'rules' have always not applied to some, but I had no idea it was that many.

[KittyWampus]

35. Did you get that person's name?

[texastoast]

37. Yes.

I got both names.

[billyoc]

36. Looks like it's shaping up to be quite an event. Good luck.

:hi:

[texastoast]

40. Thanks!

I'm pumped! I think we all are.

[CoffeeCat]

42. Hey Toast, have you seen this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4853263&mesg_id=4853263

[texastoast]

45. I heard about her meeting with the a bunch of precinct captains

in San Antone. It was filmed and on the news here. I didn't know what she was telling them, but it looks to me like Obama got on the same bandwagon. Who was on first first, I don't know. I got calls this evening from both camps with the same story.

It's gonna be wild!

[CoffeeCat]

47. I was a precinct captain in Iowa...

...and I did what was asked of me--which was rally the troops at the caucus, get an accurate count
of supporters in our camp, give that number to the Temporary Precinct Chair--and lobby other caucus
goers.

If someone had told me to call a caucus judge and pick up precinct convention paperwork--I probably
would have done it, not fully understanding what I was doing.

I'm curious...were these precinct captains wanting a list of rules about the precinct convention?
You mentioned that you turned down their request for these materials because you were going by
the book--according to TDP rules. Why would disseminating rules (especially if they are all ready
on the Internet anyway) be a violation of any rules or TDP procedures?

I'm just curious. I'm wondering why these precinct captains would be instructed to do this? Why
would it benefit them or their candidate?

[texastoast]

49. Our posts crossed

:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4853263&mesg_id=4854265

[thevoiceofreason]

43. You aren't Harris County, I gather.

In Harris County, the election judge releases the convention materials to the precinct chair (not for a candidate, but the regular precinct chair) at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, or whenever the polling is over. The precinct chair will then act as the temporary precinct convention chair until sign in is over, then a permanent chair is elected.

If there is no democratic precinct chair, the election judge will release the material to the person of their determination at 7:15. In Harris County, election judges are not allowed to caucus if they are supposed to take the polling equipment back to the central counting location. Under law, they must do that "immediately."

[texastoast]

46. No, but we border Harris County

Problem is up here that we don't always have Dem precinct chairs, then it gets passed off to the election judge to try to handle among all their other duties. Bless my clerk who is going to stand strong as the temporary chair. My Republican counterpart is in charge of returning the equipment (thank goodness). We Dems just have the paperwork.

[CoffeeCat]

48. You are going to be busy, busy, busy...

In addition to watching out for hanky panky--you are going to be so busy with this
process!

At our caucus, turnout doubled from 04--and 04 was a record year. We had lines out the door
and down the hall, just to sign in. We had so many new voters--people who had never voted
before, and they all needed to register. We could have used 5 additional people handling
those registrations and sign-ins.

Inside it was very busy as well. The room (we were in a school library) was jam packed. We
were in a fairly large room, so we made due. However, there were a few precincts in our area
that had to move people from conference rooms, into the gymnasium or other larger rooms. It
was orderly, fair and really wonderful--so exciting. Everyone worked together to make sure
that things ran smoothly--but it really was mind blowing and there were just so many people.

We were the first state to go! You guys will probably be deluged, since you've had several
weeks for this momentum to build. I'm sure Texas are very ready and excited to weigh in on
this one!

If I could do it all over again, I would have taken a couple of volunteers with me--just to help
me out with "gopher" type duties. You will need those extra bodies! Round some up if you can!

[texastoast]

50. Oh, man, that is what I'm afraid of

I'm getting so nervous that I'm thinking I won't try to attend my own caucus and just let my precinct chair present my resolutions for me. AND I'm thinking about getting another clerk. Usually, one judge and one clerk can handle our 40 :7 Democratic voters , but I think this is going to be very different. I've got two clerks, one who is bilingual, but this is a white Republican precinct.

[thevoiceofreason]

61. I'm actually buying carbon paper tomorrow

In case I need to use extra sign in sheets I have printed off. (Since the normal Exhibit A's are in triplicate or quadruplicate).

[thevoiceofreason]

60. Good luck, my friend

[CoffeeCat]

51. Toast...is the "envelope" that these precinct captains requested...

...from you, the same one that is discussed in this story about Clinton instructing
her precinct captains to get that "envelope"?

So, if these precinct captains are in possession of that "envelope" (the one
requested from you) they are then the Temporary Precinct Chair and they control
the caucus procedures, is that right???

Dayum!


link to story: http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/821114,clinton030208.article

“We’ve got to do the Texas two-step,” Clinton told them. Texas’ unusual hybrid primary election offers voters two chances to vote for their candidate: In the morning at the polls and then in the evening at caucuses in every precinct.

....

To that end, Clinton backers passed out flyers urging precinct captains to request the “envelope” full of materials at the caucus that will allow them to serve as temporary chair of the caucus.

“If there is no envelope, take out your own materials and announce the start of the convention,” the instructions say. “Possession of the envelope allows you to serve as temporary chair and control the start of the precinct convention.”

Clinton, her voice growing hoarse, urged the precinct captains to recruit their friends.

DU link to this story: DU link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4840304

[texastoast]

52. That's it

One of the captains asked when she could have the envelope. I told her that the envelope gets passed out to the permanent chair, as I have already appointed a temporary chair. Then the other captain asked me for the temporary chair's phone number. I didn't give it to her.

All these captains need to understand that if the rules aren't followed, the caucus results can be challenged. I guess maybe that might be in the plan?? It's gonna be a doooosy of a day. For me since 2000, it's all about protecting the process far and above the candidates' ambitions.

On edit:

I've always wondered where these folks get "their own materials" that your post refers to. Hmm. Wonder if the candidates provided their own precinct packages to the precinct captains. Not going to work in my precinct if I'm there.

[woolldog]

54. Good for you.

That's what it's all about after all, regardless of which candidate one supports.

[CoffeeCat]

55. Wow, you need to take notes about...

...these conversations with these precinct captains. Document everything.

I applaud you for being so diplomatic and for following the rules.

What I'm really finding difficult to swallow--is that these precinct chairs would do
these things. Do they realize that they're asking you to break rules and procedures?

Maybe these precinct captains do not understand how underhanded this is.

Do you think higher ups in caucus process understand what is going on, and that maybe
they will order more volunteers and observers to attend the caucuses?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

53. Yes, that's the precinct convention chair envelope.

I've been one before, back when nobody showed up, and I had to represent about five precincts at the Senate District Convention.

The envelope has instructions for conducting the meeting and sign in sheets with carbons. Each person present signs in with name and address and phone number, and who their presidential preference is. People may submit written resolutions to be sent to the Senate District Convention (or county convention, if it's in a less populated area). All this material is signed and sent to the next higher convention. Delegates are elected to the next higher convention as well.


NOBODY who is actively working on a campaign is allowed to get their mitts on those. Those materials are only to go to the precinct judge or the person elected as chair for that precinct.

[CoffeeCat]

57. Then why would any candidate...

...instruct their precinct captains to go after these materials--days before the
caucus happens?

Why would a candidate ask a precinct captain to break rules?

It seems a bit ridiculous to me. Good people like Texas Toast are the firewall. They
know they can't give this stuff out.

It sounds to me, like one or both camps (and we know that Hillary has instructed her
precinct captains to get these materials) is taking advantage of unsuspecting precinct
captains and asking them to behave unethically.

[Tatiana]

56. God Bless you. I hope other election judges stand up to the pressure.

Thank goodness you are familiar with the rules and procedures of the process. I wonder how many other precinct captains are.

:pals:

[AtomicKitten]

59. You are the gatekeeper.

Thanks for that. :)

K&R