Early voting for the 2012 Democratic Primary Starts Today, Monday May 14!

That’s right – The primary election date is Tuesday, May 29, but you don’t have to wait until then. In fact, with all the changes from redistricting and changes to the election schedule, it’s best that you vote as soon as possible. Precincts have been re-drawn this year, nearly everyone has a new voting precinct number, and in many cases the election day polling locations have changed as well. But if you vote early, you don’t have to worry about where to vote – and you can avoid confusion and long lines on election day.

Early Voting for the primary begins today, May 14 and runs through next Friday, May 25.

You can vote at ANY of the EIGHT (count ‘em, 8!) early voting locations over the next 10 days:

Main Early Voting Locations:
- Bastrop Courthouse Annex Bldg., 804 Pecan St., 2nd Floor, Conference Rm, Bastrop
- Elgin Public Library, 404 N. Main St., Elgin
- Smithville City Hall, 317 Main St., Smithville
- Cedar Creek United Methodist Church, 5630 FM 535, Cedar Creek

Hours for the four Main locations: Monday 5/14 thru Saturday 5/19 (yes, this Saturday!), 8am – 5pm; on Monday 5/21 thru Wed. 5/23, 8am – 5 pm, Thur. 5/24 thru Fri. 5/25, 7am – 7 pm

But wait, there’s MORE….

Branch Early Voting Locations:
- Wyldwood Baptist Church, 398 Union Chapel Rd., Cedar Creek
- Red Rock Community Center, 114 Red Rock Rd., Red Rock
- Rosanky Baptist Church, 2160 FM 535, Rosanky
- Celebration Community Church, 113 Longhorn Dr., Bastrop

Hours for the four Branch locations: Wednesday 5/16 thru Saturday 5/19, 8am – 5 pm; Wednesday 5/23, 8am – 5 pm; Thursday 5/24 thru Friday 5/25, 7am – 7 pm
(note that the Branch locations are not open Mondays and Tuesdays)

A printer-friendly version of the early voting schedule (pdf).

Sample ballots for all voting precincts.

More Elections information for Bastrop County.

You can also call Bastrop County Elections Administration at 512-581-7160 if you have questions about your registration or where and when to vote.

Am I registered to Vote?

How Can I register to vote?

To find precinct and district maps, go to: Maps

Don’t Wait! Get out and VOTE EARLY

Spread the Word to your friends and neighbors!

Democratically Yours,

Robert C. Ryland
Bastrop County Democratic Chair
512-609-0336

Spring municipal & school board elections are upon us! Election Day for these races is Saturday, May 12, but early voting began today — April 30 — and runs thru Tuesday, May 8th.

These are non-partisan elections, and the BCDP does not traditionally endorse candidates in these races, but it is important to vote in them and make your voice heard. Your city and school district leaders are as important as county commissioners, state representatives and congressmen — in fact the decisions they make often affect us more directly than those of partisan elected officials.

Democrats, make an impact – get out and VOTE!

Bastrop Intermediate, 509 Old Austin Hwy., Bastrop; see above for dates; 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cedar Creek Middle, 125 Voss Pkwy., Cedar Creek; see above for dates; 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lost Pines Elementary, 151 Tiger Woods, Bastrop; see above for dates; 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Red Rock Elementary, 2401 FM 20, Red Rock; see above for dates; 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cedar Creek High, 793 Union Chapel, Cedar Creek; see above for dates; 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m

Fellow Democrats,

Last Saturday I had the honor presiding over a successful county convention at Bastrop Middle School. While there were dozens of other fun events going on (it’s never a good idea to hold a political convention while the Elgin VFD Barbecue Cookoff is happening – they always need judges…), we managed to elect a full slate of 29 delegates plus 13 alternates to the next level – the State Democratic Convention in Houston, June 7-9. You can peruse the convention program here. Special thanks to everyone who showed up early to help set up and who stayed late to help us break down and clean up – especially Raul, the middle school custodian who took great care of us!

We were honored by two of our veterans, Gary Beauchamp of Smithville and Don Nichols of Red Rock, who served as our color guard, and by District Judge Chris Duggan who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the proceedings.

I’m proud to say we were so well prepared that not a single point of order was made. (I think one person called a ‘point of information’, which just means they wanted to know what was going on – but that was as weedy as the parliamentary procedures got). We sailed through the agenda, gaveled in and out in under three hours, and even had a little fun along the way. Not bad for my first swing of the gavel (on loan from Judge Duggan).

Photos from our convention can be found here.

We also passed 23 resolutions on to the State Platform Committee – on everything from women’s health care funding to protecting American workers and local groundwater resources.

And we heard from several candidates: Colin Guerra of Bastrop, for State Representative (District 17) and County Judge Candidates Ed Rivers and Joe Ternus. Several judicial candidates also stopped by to say a few words, including Diane Henson & Andrew Hathcock for the 3rd Court of Appeals District, where Democrats have a chance to pick up two more seats this cycle. Representatives from the Rose Meza Harrison and Ronnie McDonald campaigns for Congressional District 27 also attended. Numerous campaigns left us signs, stickers, t-shirts and campaign literature, so please contact BCDP if you’d looking for any of these items for your favorite candidates.

Senator Kirk Watson delivered the keynote address – “Texas Can Do Better”. He talked about his fight for real transparency in our state’s budget process, where Republicans have only paid lip service. He prescribed strong medicine for the “debt, diversions, denial and deception” the Republicans used to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens and institutions – Texans can and should demand better. “We should demand real reform of our budget process, and demand a budget that reflects our priorities”. Indeed, the stripping of billions of dollars from our schools and universities, from health care services for women & children, and from essential public safety responders like our Volunteer Fire Departments and the Texas Forest Service, should set off alarms among all Texans who care about our great state. Senator Watson is breath of fresh air – he doesn’t just talk about responsibility in public service – he walks it everyday, and has the record to prove it.

After the convention, I hustled back up to Elgin for some great BBQ, but missed my favorite job: judging brisket entries. Next year!

Our elected delegates and alternates are listed here. We still have a few alternate slots to fill, so please let us know if you’re interested in attending the state convention in June. You can also attend as a guest and join in numerous seminars, workshops and caucuses there. Plus, we always have a great time at the State Convention!

More info about the State Democratic Convention, click here. If you’re going, be sure to shop around the Houston area for a good hotel rate – the Hilton will fill up quickly if it hasn’t already, but there are plenty of good hotel options nearby. 

Stay in touch and let us know about your campaign & community events, candidate forums, etc. – we’ll post them to our calendar!

Don’t forget:

- Municipal and school board elections are Saturday, May 12, with early voting beginning next Mon. April 30 – Tue. May 8.

- April 30 is also the last day to register to vote in the May 29 primary  – early primary voting is Mon. May 14 – Fri. May 25.

See you at the polls!

Democratically yours,

Robert Cyrus Ryland
Bastrop County Democratic Party Chairman
bastropdemocrats.org
512-609-0336