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Prather: Every Vote Must Count - 78666.com - San Marcos, Texas Guide

Prather: Every Vote Must Count

11/07/2007

By: Brad Rollins
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Jude Prather is considering options for re-examining the San Marcos City Council election results. The campaign is currently collecting sworn affidavits from registered voters that were denied their right to vote. Under the current tally, Jude Prather has 1,302 votes and and Gaylord Bose has 1,305.

"We must make sure every votes count. The issue of whether U.S. citizens duly registered to vote can be denied one of their most basic rights is larger than a city council seat," Jude Prather said.

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Name: semi-native

Of course, in the end, there would have to be an independent investigation and collection of affidavits by an impartial party, as it is probably safe to assume that if people were turned away at the polls, they were not all coming to vote for Jude.


Name: Brad Rollins

I'm not sure how the process works but I assume you're correct that all the denied voters weren't necessarily going to vote for Prather. I heard of decades-long citizens with deep roots being turned away at the LBJ student center. On election day, I did not take ID to the poll to see if I would be offered a provisional ballot. Not only was I not offered one, they said I had to have ID to cast a provisional ballot. This of course defeats the purpose as the idea is that provisional votes are held in reserve so the voter's eligibility can be determined if the margin is small enough to make a difference.

Name: semi-native

It's a PITA to sift through, but provisional ballots are available to two groups. 1) You are on the list, but don't have a registration card or ID (63.008b), or 2) You are not on the list and have no certificate, but you do have an ID (63.009a).

The students that Jude's campaign assert were turned away would probably have had IDs, but not been on the list. Brad probably was on the list and stated that he did not have an ID. Both should have gotten provisional ballots, IMO.

Of course, I am assuming that Brad was on the list. No list and no ID means no ballot, as far as I can tell.

The other piece of the puzzle, though, is whether or not those provisional ballots would have been valid, assuming that there were people who were turned away and that they did not go back and vote later, after the problem was cleared up. Some people who cast provisional ballots are not actually eligible to vote and those ballots do not count.


Name: Brad Rollins

To answer you question semi-native, I was on the list. (This actually happened at two polling places because I accidentally went to the wrong one. I was not on the list there but they looked me up on the computer and saw that I was registered voter. I did no mind me sent to the right polling place but the same thing happened, they saw that I was registered but could not cast even a provisional ballot without ID. I was able to vote later when I produced an ID.

Name: Jennifer

You didn't win Mr. Prather. Accept defeat with dignity so if you feel so inclined you can try again next year with grace.

Name: brete

To vote in the State of Texas a voter in addition to being a registered voter must show either a Texas ID or a voter registration card. If the voter is not on the Voter Roles at the poling place the voter is given a provisional ballot.

Your only recourse at this point outside of a recount of ballots is for a state district court to order a new election. Try reading the Election Code. It's a must read for people discussing elections in Texas.

Name: citizen

Didn't see this coming;



http://www.hayshighway.com/2007111w.html#e181



"Prather said last week that, in any event, he didn�t plan to protest the election result if he should lose. "

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Name: benny

Jennifer three votes, in most people�s opinions, is too close to just concede defeat. In fact most cities have an automatic re-count and/or run-off in such closely contested elections. Especially when the incumbent constantly goes on pointless rants then nods off during city council meetings.

Name: Martha Cannary

I heard Jude Plans on running for Place 2 again. Since he is "best" friends with the newly elected Ryan Thomason, and "good" friends with the Mayor I'm concerned that he will be another no questions asked vote for the current majority. Yuck. Veteran or not he is still young and naive ande just not experienced enough for city office.



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