ATTN TEXANS: Voting Straight Party Ticket Will NOT Help Doggett

[Dover]

and some others get elected, who will be in a SPECIAL ELECTION due to redistricting issues. Lloyd Doggett is in district 25. Check this article to find out if your representative is also at risk and SPREAD THE WORD!

Here's the story:

Gary Martin: The party's over for straight-ticket voting this election

09/22/2006 06:50 PM CDT


San Antonio Express-News

Congressional incumbents in special elections called by a three-judge federal panel could face a disadvantage because of a quirk in the balloting that prevents straight-party voting in those races.
The prospect of losing party voters concerns three South Texas lawmakers, who represent districts where their respective parties hold an advantage among registered voters.

"It is worrisome," said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, of the 21st Congressional District race. "You have to vote for me personally."

With one Republican, two Democrats, three independents and a Libertarian running in that district, voters in Bexar, Comal, Bandera, Kendall, Kerr, Real and a portion of Travis counties cannot pull a straight-party lever to vote for the candidate of their choice.

Same for the special election in the 28th Congressional District, where Rep. Henry Cuellar faces another Democrat, and in the 23rd, where six Democrats are running against incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla.

Special elections were called in five congressional districts after a three-judge panel redrew political lines after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Hispanic voting clout in Bonilla's district was intentionally diluted.

In redrawing Bonilla's district, the judges altered lines in four others, prompting open elections and attracting a number of candidates.

To accommodate the large field, straight-party voting had to be eliminated, according to Scott Haywood, spokesman for the Texas secretary of state.

"It's an open election, so you have multiple Republicans and Democrats in the elections," Haywood said.

Pulling a straight-party lever could result in a vote for multiple candidates, invalidating a ballot.

The secretary of state is urging local election administrators to put the special elections at the top of the ballot Haywood said the state cannot dictate that it be done.

..snip..

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes, faces two Republicans in the 15th Congressional District, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, faces a Republican, an independent and a Libertarian in the 25th congressional race.

Confusing, yes, but fascinating contests.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/stories/MYSA092306.2O.martin.20566b3.html