Bastrop County Democratic Party

CEC Meeting

January 10, 2012             7pm

Kerr Community Center

1308 Walnut Street Bastrop, TX

For More Information Contact

Barbara Nichols, Chair
512-745-3326

A message from the Secretary of State:

The Secretary of State and her staff would like to extend their sympathy to all Texans affected by wildfires around the state. As emergency relief efforts continue, we would also like to provide information with regards to the upcoming November 8, 2011 constitutional amendment election.

We realize that evacuation is a difficult experience and that voters may not be certain of their short-term or long-term living arrangements. However, certain basic procedures still apply. Voters who have been displaced have several options for voting in the November 8, 2011 election.

Voter Registration and Residence. Regarding residence, our advice to people displaced by the wildfires is the same as to any other person—the voter is the one who decides what the voter considers to be home. If a voter relocated to another county before or after the wildfires, and has decided to stay in their new county, they may register to vote in their new county. Voters in this situation must submit a new voter registration application in their new county of residence no later than October 11, 2011 in order to vote in the November election. However, if a person has been relocated and is unsure when they can return to their home county, but intends to return, then that person can maintain their voter registration in their home county (or apply to register if not already registered).

Voter Identification. The new photo identification requirements do not apply until 2012, once preclearance has been obtained. You may also receive questions from voters who lost documents in the fire. When voting in person during the November 8, 2011 election, a voter must show either the voter registration certificate or a form of authorized identification (I.D.).

If a voter is able to return to their home, they will likely vote as usual in their county. The counties hardest hit by the wildfires are still evaluating the state of their polling places, and there will likely be changes in voting locations, but it appears that all counties will be able to conduct voting during early voting and election day. It may be a few more weeks before final polling places will be ascertained. In local notices, counties may wish to emphasize early voting by personal appearance, especially if voters have relocated to temporary quarters within the same county, but away from their usual neighborhood.

A voter away from their county of residence may apply for a ballot by mail from their home county. Voters wishing to vote by mail must submit an application for ballot by mail to their county election office; the application must be received no later than Tuesday, November 1, 2011. On the application, the voter must indicate that they will be out of their home county during early voting and on election day. Voters need to provide a mailing address for the ballot which is outside of their home county.

Our office will continue to work with local election officials to ensure that all Texas voters are able to participate in a fair, credible, and efficient election. Voters with specific questions may contact the Elections Division, toll-free at (800) 252-VOTE (8683) or visit our website for updated information.

A message from the Secretary of State

Places up for 2012 Primary Election and the Current Officer Holders

January 6, 2012 – First Day to apply for Ballot by Mail
February 6, 2012 – Last day to register to vote for the 2012 Primary (close of business)
21 – First Day of Early Voting for Primary
28 – Last day to apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
March 2, 2012 – Last day of Early Voting for Primary
March 6 – Primary Election day (7am-7pm)
6 – Precinct Conventions (7pm)
24 – County/Senate District Conventions

We Texans like to brag about being #1, so I want to give you some figures that support that our #1 rankings. Then, just so you don’t get to big headed about being #1, some figures of our bottom of the barrel rankings.

Texas on the Brink

A Report from the Texas Legislative Study Group

The State of Our State

LSG serves as a primary conduit for the flow of information to legislators on the House floor, during the legislative session. Full time, expert staff focused on key policy areas provide detailed analysis of bills which fall into one of five areas of interest: education, environment, budget, health and human services, and worker and consumer issues. Each area of interest has a specific LSG staff member assigned to track and analyze legislation.

How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States

February 2011 ~ Fifth Edition

We’re #1

Percent of Uninsured Children 1st

Percent of Population Uninsured 1st

Percent of Non-Elderly Uninsured 1st

Amount of Carbon Dioxide Emissions 1st

Amount of Volatile Organic Compounds  Released into Air  1st

Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Water  1st

Amount of Recognized Cancer-Causing Carcinogens Released into Air   1st

Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated 1st

Number of Executions        1^st

Bottom of the Barrel

Percent of Population 25 and Older with a High School Diploma  50^th

State & Local Expenditures per Pupil in Public Schools   44^th

Percent of Population with Employer-Based Health Insurance  48^th

Per Capita State Spending on Mental Health  50^th

Health Care Expenditures per Capita    44^th

Percent of Non-Elderly Women without Health Insurance     50^th

Workers’ Compensation Coverage     50^th

Homeowner’s Insurance Affordability      46th

Percent of Voting-Age Population that Votes 45th

Women’s Voter Turnout 49th

You don’t like these numbers

Do something about it.

Get Involve—Call, Write, Picket the Texas State Legislature

Write letters to the editor of your local paper

Run for Office

Talk to friends and neighbors about the sad state of affairs our state is in because of years of neglect by Governor Perry and the Republican Legislature and the new disasters they are creating during the current legislative session.

Support The Bastrop County Democratic Party—come to meetings, events, donate time and/or financial support.

Monthly Meetings of

Bastrop County Democratic Party

 Kerr Center in  Bastrop

Call  512-745-3326 for Information on future meetings

September 8 — Regular Meeting

October 14 — CEC Meeting

November15 — Regular Meeting

December 13 — Regular Meeting

Meetings are open meetings and attendence and participation by all Democrats is encouraged.

November 2 2010 Election results precinct by precinct report. The same report that can be found on the county page linked below but with as a web page with some page navigation.

Bastrop County Official Election results page.