2008 Woodie Awards
Voting twice, super delegates elements of Texas primary
Adam Young
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
When former President Bill Clinton visited Lubbock last month, he reminded Texas Democrats they have the privilege - or obligation, as some may see it - to vote twice for the presidential candidate of their choice during the Texas primary election Tuesday.
Dorothy Kennedy, Lubbock County elections administrator, said after the former president informed Lubbock residents they could vote twice, the elections office has been swarmed with calls from curious or confused voters asking for an explanation.
Kennedy said while Texas is a winner-take-all race for Republicans, Democratic delegates in Texas are split between the primary election and caucus-style precinct conventions organized by each county's party in the evening of the primary election, after polls close.
"That's why you see the Democrat race so close, because it's done by percentages," she said. "Two-thirds comes from the direct vote and the other third is conducted and received from the precinct convention."
Texas has 193 delegates up for grabs for the Democrats Tuesday, with 126 pledged delegates awarded proportionately based on primary voting in 31 state senatorial districts, while 67 will come from the caucus, according to the Associated Press. An additional 42 at-large pledged delegates are awarded based on caucuses beginning with precinct conventions on election night.
Sen. Barack Obama, D- Ill., leads Sen. Hillary Clinton, D- N.Y., 1,378 to 1,276 delegates, with 2,025 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.
Because of the close Democratic race, Kennedy said, the Lubbock County Elections Office is preparing for a large voter turnout, hiring approximately 100 additional election workers and preparing to utilize additional equipment.
But Irene Howell, primary administrator with the Lubbock County Republican party, said Texas Republicans also have the opportunity to participate in precinct conventions, and is expecting a large turnout on Tuesday.
Dorothy Kennedy, Lubbock County elections administrator, said after the former president informed Lubbock residents they could vote twice, the elections office has been swarmed with calls from curious or confused voters asking for an explanation.
Kennedy said while Texas is a winner-take-all race for Republicans, Democratic delegates in Texas are split between the primary election and caucus-style precinct conventions organized by each county's party in the evening of the primary election, after polls close.
"That's why you see the Democrat race so close, because it's done by percentages," she said. "Two-thirds comes from the direct vote and the other third is conducted and received from the precinct convention."
Texas has 193 delegates up for grabs for the Democrats Tuesday, with 126 pledged delegates awarded proportionately based on primary voting in 31 state senatorial districts, while 67 will come from the caucus, according to the Associated Press. An additional 42 at-large pledged delegates are awarded based on caucuses beginning with precinct conventions on election night.
Sen. Barack Obama, D- Ill., leads Sen. Hillary Clinton, D- N.Y., 1,378 to 1,276 delegates, with 2,025 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.
Because of the close Democratic race, Kennedy said, the Lubbock County Elections Office is preparing for a large voter turnout, hiring approximately 100 additional election workers and preparing to utilize additional equipment.
But Irene Howell, primary administrator with the Lubbock County Republican party, said Texas Republicans also have the opportunity to participate in precinct conventions, and is expecting a large turnout on Tuesday.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Melody Wainscott
Melody Wainscott
posted 3/03/08 @ 1:42 PM CST
How should a student decide whether to attend a required class that interfers with their ability to attend the caucus/precinct convention this Tuesday night? Attending the caucus is more important than ever this year for Democrats. (Continued…)
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