Why in the world is the State objecting?
Bexar extends early voting for District 23; state objects:
Bexar County commissioners on Tuesday added two days of early voting to the runoff in Congressional District 23, agreeing to calls for the move from Democrat Ciro Rodriguez’s campaign and a civil rights group.But Scott Haywood, spokesman for the Texas secretary of state’s office, said the commissioners don’t have that kind of power — casting doubt on whether people can vote beginning Saturday or will have to wait until Monday.
“They have no authority to move the early voting time frame,” he said.
Gosh, I hate politics. I know I write on a political blog and spend a good amount of time reading about it but nothing makes me angrier than stupid things like this.
But at the secretary of state’s office, Haywood said state election law rules out early voting on Saturday and Sunday. A provision for special runoff elections says early voting must start 10 days before election day — unless it lands on the weekend or a state holiday. In either case, early voting starts on the next business day.
The rule governs special runoffs for state Senate and House posts, but Haywood said it also applies to congressional runoffs.
Luis Vera Jr., LULAC’s national general counsel, disagreed. He said that part of the election code shouldn’t apply to the race in the 23rd District.
Instead, he contends a provision setting early voting 17 days before election day — the same one used in the special election to replace Republican Tom DeLay in the 22nd Congressional District — should be the one state officials rely on.
“They used that (17-day) provision because they had a (Republican) write-in candidate, because they needed more time,” said Vera, a Rodriguez supporter.
“They change the rules to fit their needs.”
So the state is quoting one provision that makes it a no-no even though there is another they used for the november 7th election that would make it perfectly okay. Man, Rick Perry sets the election date after business hours right before Thanksgiving, the date happens to be a hispanic religious holiday, and he is going to fight Bexar County about adding 2 days of early voting. Jeez, could his bias be showing any more.
Good for Bexar county, there should be a weekend of early voting available for every election. Here are the early voting locations in Bexar County. I will keep you updated about if you can go this weekend.
Main Early Voting Location:
BEXAR COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER
300 Dolorosa
(Basement, south end across from cafeteria)
In addition to the main early polling place, early voting will be conducted at the following locations:
CPS ENERGY
509 SW Military Drive
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEON SPRINGS
24133 Boerne Stage Road Rd
MAURY MAVERICK, JR. LIBRARY
8700 Mystic Park
PECAN VALLEY ELEMENTARY
3966 E. Southcross
SHAVANO BAPTIST CHURCH
5047 De Zavala Road
SOUTH PARK MALL
2310 S.W. Military
Filed under: Ciro Rodriguez, Elections Administrator, Henry Bonilla, Rick Perry, Runoff Election - December 12, San Antonio, Texas District 23, bexar county, early voting, election, run-off, runoff, texas politics, vote
