Texas - Revision history

Strangelv: /* Rival Political Parties */ Reducing no longer current information

2021-02-25T16:56:33Z

Rival Political Parties: Reducing no longer current information

Strangelv: /* Other Entities */ Lone Star Gun Rights FB group

2021-02-25T16:24:36Z

Other Entities: Lone Star Gun Rights FB group

Strangelv: /* 2020 Calendar */ Tweaking

2019-11-10T21:30:48Z

2020 Calendar: Tweaking

Strangelv: Adding timeliness warning and dates grabbed from BoosterPAC site

2019-11-10T20:57:23Z

Adding timeliness warning and dates grabbed from BoosterPAC site

Strangelv: Added link to new page; this one needs an update, though.

2019-10-06T22:14:07Z

Added link to new page; this one needs an update, though.

Strangelv: /* Political Filing */ Out of State filing

2017-09-05T03:32:11Z

Political Filing: Out of State filing

Strangelv: External Links, Empower Texans, NORML

2017-09-05T03:03:24Z

External Links, Empower Texans, NORML

Strangelv: /* Primaries versus Nomination by Convention */ fixing truncated sentence

2017-09-01T20:48:37Z

Primaries versus Nomination by Convention: fixing truncated sentence

Strangelv: /* Ballot Access / / Candidate Nominations */

2017-08-17T21:04:48Z

Ballot Access: Candidate Nominations

Strangelv: Adding /* Other Entities */ -- more structure than content at the moment.

2017-08-16T10:52:01Z

Adding Other Entities: -- more structure than content at the moment.

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 The Republican Party was a distant second political party until the 1970s, and only took over as the dominant state party in the 1980s.  From the late 1990s to the present for most of the state the Republican Primary might be seen as the de facto election, where the Democratic Party's nominee's chances are not really better than our party's nominee.
 In many ways, the Republican Party has, at least until recent years, been almost an attempt at Libertarian Party Lite.  ...except that with a few prominent exceptions its candidates have failed miserably at living up to its platform.
 Unfortunately, its platform has taken on an increasingly social conservative bent in recent years, possibly steering it towards Constitution Party Lite.
 ===Texas Democratic Party===
 Until the late 1970s at the earliest, the Democratic Party primary was arguably the de facto election.  This was the only party big enough to have a primary for much of the 20th Century, and for much of that time it was the de facto election with almost no other parties -- even the Republican Party -- contesting most elections.
-There is a chance of the Democratic Party not falling apart given the waves of economic refugees presently invading Texas from California, but it's presently struggling.  None of the arguments that might lure one to running for the Republican nomination apply for getting the Democratic one outside of specifically gerrymandered districts.
+There is a chance of the Democratic Party not falling apart given the waves of economic refugees presently invading Texas from California and other left-authoritarian bastions, but it's presently struggling.  None of the arguments that might lure one to running for the Republican nomination apply for getting the Democratic one outside of specifically gerrymandered districts.
-Right now the Democrats are completely unable to get anyone elected to statewide office.  Their only remaining position of power after losing the state house and the ability to continue to control the gerrymanders is to team up with big-government Republicans and keep Strauss in as the speaker of the house.
+Right now the Democrats are completely unable to get anyone elected to statewide office.
-The big push for Wendy Davis in 2014 ended with a deep double-digit defeat.
+The big push for Wendy Davis in 2014 ended with a deep double-digit defeat.  Beto didn't do a lot better.
 ===Green Party of Texas===
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 No Texas-specific plan for teaching green-colored libertarians who don't understand economics into the Libertarian Party exists at this time.
 ===Constitution Party of Texas===
-The Tea Party movement as co-opted in Texas has probably absorbed most of the Constitution Party activists into the Republican Party.  Some may have found their way into the Libertarian Party, however.
+Probably most of the former Constitution Party activists are the Republican Party, lured in by the Tea Party and kept there by Donald Trump, whose non-social-conservative proclivities logically should disturb them.  Some may have found their way into the Libertarian Party, however.
 ===Reform Party of Texas===
-Enough of the Reform Party survives in Texas that it has an executive committee and held a 2016 state convention.  it is not known if there will be any attempt by them to get back on the ballot any time soon.
+Enough of the Reform Party survives in Texas that it has an executive committee, county parties, and held a 2020 state convention.  it is not known if there will be any attempt by them to get back on the ballot any time soon.
 ===Socialist Party of Texas===
+It's unclear if any of the things calling themselves Socialist in Texas are part of this party as of early 2021.
 ===Communist Party of Texas===
-If Wikipedia is to be believed, the state party is firmly Anarcho-Communist.  Unfortunately, it wants to abolish many things that we consider to be of vital importance ''before'' the dissolution of the state.  Then again, this is Texas.  Texas would need to change beyond recognition before this party will have any hope of getting any significant amount of traction, let alone long-term ballot access under the current statutes.
+If Wikipedia is to be believed, the state party is firmly Anarcho-Communist.  Unfortunately, it wants to abolish many things that we might consider to be of vital importance ''before'' the dissolution of the state.  Then again, this is Texas.  Texas would need to change beyond recognition before this party will have any hope of getting any significant amount of traction, let alone long-term ballot access under the current statutes.
 Any attempts to convert members of this party to Libertarians might possibly best be using the general case for luring AnComs towards property rights as there's probably very few people in this party, even inside Travis County.
 ==Other Entities==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:24, 25 February 2021
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	This was a multipartisan effort that included both the LP and the Green Party. It probably needs to be brought back up and running, as the issues that the non-Demopublicans agree on are things that need the added push.		This was a multipartisan effort that included both the LP and the Green Party. It probably needs to be brought back up and running, as the issues that the non-Demopublicans agree on are things that need the added push.

		+	===Lone Star Gun Rights===
		+	A large FB group full of tribal conservatives who oppose the LP

	==2020 Calendar==		==2020 Calendar==

@@ Line 162: / Line 162: @@
 ==2020 Calendar==
-*09 November 2019 Candidate filing opens
+*09 November to 18:00 on 09 December 2019 '''Candidate filing'''
-*09 December 2019 Candidate filing closes (18:00)
+*03 March 2020 '''Demopublican Primary Election Day''' (Do not attend)
-*02 January 2020 Last day for a party with state organization, which intends to make nominations by convention, to register with Secretary of State.
+*10 March 2020 '''Precinct Conventions''' These select delegates to county conventions
-*03 March 2020 Primary Election Day (Libertarians should not participate)
+*14 March 2020 '''County Conventions''' County level nominations and delegates to district and state conventions
-*10 March 2020 Precinct conventions held to elect delegates to county or district conventions of minor parties.
+*21 March 2020 '''District Conventions''' to nominate for multicounty public offices
-*14 March 2020 County convention for minor parties (Libertarians) that are nominating candidates for single-county district, county, or precinct offices.
+*18 April 2020 '''LPTexas State convention'''
-*21 March 2020 District convention for minor parties (Libertarians) nominating candidates for multi-county district offices.
+*19 October 2020 '''First day of early voting'''
-*18 April 2020 State convention
+*30 October 2020 '''Last day of early voting'''
-*19 October 2020 First day of early voting by personal appearance for November 3 general election.
+*03 November 2020 '''Election Day'''
 ==External Links==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 This is a dossier about the political environment in Texas.  For the Radical Caucus organization, see [[Texas Libertarian Party Radical Caucus|HERE]].
 ==State Party==
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 ===Common Ground===
 This was a multipartisan effort that included both the LP and the Green Party.  It probably needs to be brought back up and running, as the issues that the non-Demopublicans agree on are things that need the added push.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:14, 6 October 2019
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−	~~Please note that~~ the ~~best structure for this type of article is still up~~ in the ~~air~~.	+	This is a dossier about the political environment in Texas. For the Radical Caucus organization, see [[Texas Libertarian Party Radical Caucus\|HERE]].

	==State Party==		==State Party==

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:32, 5 September 2017
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	Except for a set of increasingly improbable circumstances, all filings must be electronic using their website, so whatever you do DO NOT lose your password!		Except for a set of increasingly improbable circumstances, all filings must be electronic using their website, so whatever you do DO NOT lose your password!

		+
		+	===Out of State Committees===
		+	So is it easier for our caucus to operate as an in-state or out of state committee when supporting non-federal Texas candidates or Texas specific issues? Or is there any difference at all?
		+
		+	"Pursuant to Sec. 254.1581, Chapter 254, Title 15, Election Code, an out-of-state political committee is required to file reports for each reporting period under Subchapter F, Chapter 254, Election Code, in which the out-of-state political committee accepts political contributions or makes political expenditures in connection with a state or local election in Texas. Section 254.1581, Election Code, applies to a report required to be filed under this section. Ethics Commission rule ? 20.13 states that an out-of-state political committee that files reports electronically in another jurisdiction may comply with Section 254.1581, Election Code, by sending a letter to the commission within the time prescribed by that section specifying in detail where the electronic report may be found on the website of the agency with which the out-of-state political committee is required to file its reports. An out-of-state political committee that does not file reports electronically in another jurisdiction may comply with Section 254.1581, Election Code, by sending a copy of the cover sheets of the report and a copy of each page on which the committee reports a contribution or expenditure accepted or made in connection with a state or local election in Texas. The dates listed below the committee reflect the date the document was received by TEC. "

	==Political Notices==		==Political Notices==

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 ==Political Filing==
-The state equivalent of the FEC is the Texas "Ethics" Commission.  The filing threshold is $500, and once you start filing they will hand out $500 fines like party favors for the slightest misstep that they become aware of.  Hint: if you make an error on a filing, DO NOT TELL THEM.  Trying to fix an error will get you fined.
+The state equivalent of the FEC is the Texas "Ethics" Commission, also referred to from time to time as the Texas Ethics Confusion (do NOT call them this when interacting with them).  The filing threshold is $500, and once you start filing they will hand out $500 fines like party favors for the slightest misstep that they become aware of, although it's sometimes possible to get forgiveness for a late filing if you're small enough and the person you're dealing with is nice enough on the grounds that you're not required to file after all, or get forgiveness from the TEC in person in Austin.  Unless they decide to jack your fine up to $10,000 (still a slap on the wrist for the big PACs)  Hint: if you make an error on a filing, DO NOT TELL THEM.  Trying to fix an error will get you fined.
 Except for a set of increasingly improbable circumstances, all filings must be electronic using their website, so whatever you do DO NOT lose your password!
@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 ===Texans for Accountable Government===
-A major player in this organization is former LPTexas staff member Heather Fazzio
+This is a trans-partisan Political Action Committee A major player in this organization is former LPTexas staff member Heather Fazzio.  It engages in advocacy with the general public and with politicians.
 ===NORML===
 ===Empower Texans===
 ===Independent Texans===
-Founded by Linda Curtis, who is admittedly not a libertarian.  We've cooperated with them in the past.
+Founded by Linda Curtis, this is a political action committee that focuses on opposing partisan political machines and their methods, such as gerrymandering.  We've cooperated with them in the past.
 ===Common Ground===
@@ Line 145: / Line 147: @@
+*[https://empowertexans.com/ Empower Texans]
 [[Category:Information By State]]

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 Additionally, there is a steep filing fee for candidates that few of our candidates can afford.  The purpose of this filing fee is to partially offset the cost to the State of Texas for its expenses in holding primaries.
-A recommendation by the late Allen Patterson in 2014 was that when LPTexas reaches this point, it should initiate litigation to retain its ability to
+A recommendation by the late Allen Patterson in 2014 was that when LPTexas reaches this point, it should initiate litigation to retain its ability to continue to nominate its candidates my convention, with the option of NOTA, and at its own -- not state -- expense.
 Additional information is held in reserve until we know if this is going to be publicly accessible.
 ==Political Filing==

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 17 August 2017
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	Of the counted votes in the November 2016 election, Gary Johnson received a record 3.16% of the vote. Despite not having any statewide two-way races, the $256,000 Question had the answer we needed it to have when Mark Miller got more than the minimum 5% despite being in a four-way race. This victory is admittedly not easily repeatable as it involved our candidate being unambiguously the most qualified for the position, had multiple newspaper endorsements, plus a budget for radio and TV ads to tell everyone just how qualified he was for the job of a seat on our oil and gas commission that for the purpose of abusing 19th century federal statutes is called the Railroad Commission. The Green Party was not as fortunate and will need to spend an outlandish amount of money on petitioning if it wants to be on the ballot again in 2018 or 2020.		Of the counted votes in the November 2016 election, Gary Johnson received a record 3.16% of the vote. Despite not having any statewide two-way races, the $256,000 Question had the answer we needed it to have when Mark Miller got more than the minimum 5% despite being in a four-way race. This victory is admittedly not easily repeatable as it involved our candidate being unambiguously the most qualified for the position, had multiple newspaper endorsements, plus a budget for radio and TV ads to tell everyone just how qualified he was for the job of a seat on our oil and gas commission that for the purpose of abusing 19th century federal statutes is called the Railroad Commission. The Green Party was not as fortunate and will need to spend an outlandish amount of money on petitioning if it wants to be on the ballot again in 2018 or 2020.

		+
		+	==Ballot Access==
		+	LPTexas has usually managed to maintain ballot access since first getting it in 1980. It didn't qualify in 1982, fumbled in 1984 and possibly 1986, regained it and held it until 2002, just barely got enough petitions done in 2004, and miraculously kept it in 2016 thanks to having the most qualified Railroad commission (oil and gas) candidate who had extensive radio ads and newspaper endorsements (yet barely exceeded 5%).
		+
		+	In most election years, us staying on the ballot isn't hard: LPTexas has statewide candidates in all or almost all statewide races, the Democrats don't, and we have statewide races that are just us (and possibly the Greens) against the Republican candidate. We almost always get at least 5% in such races. The exceptions so far have been 2002 and 2016.
		+
		+	The original case starting in 1968 was to get 2% in the governor's race. While this appears to still be the case, the Secretary of State's office doesn't seem to believe it, which means if it's the only way LPTexas qualifies in the future it will become necessary to throw lawyers around.
		+
		+	From 1964-1966 the requirement was to have at least 20 county conventions. Prior to 1963 only a state convention was required.
		+
		+	According to a report by Mark Miller in 2017 (his source isn't cited but it's likely Richard Winger), Texas is the fifth worst state for ballot access. The Libertarian Party has the resources to get back on the ballot in Texas when needed but at substantial cost -- roughly a quarter million dollars is the present estimate.
		+
		+
		+	==Candidate Nominations==
		+	In Texas, candidates are selected by convention. If a candidate's district is located entirely within a county, the candidate is nominated by the county convention.
		+
		+	If a candidate's district crosses county lines but isn't the entire state, the candidate is nominated at a district convention. Starting in 2006 in North Texas most district conventions are held at a unified time and location so as to maximize the number of delegates to these conventions so the candidates can be properly vetted.
		+
		+	If a candidate office is statewide, the candidate is nominated by the state convention, with the obvious exception of US President, although theoretically that could also be decided at the state convention.
		+
		+	Statewide offices include: President, Governor, Lt Governor, US Senator, Justices of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Justices of the Supreme Court, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Railroad Commissioners, Agriculture Commissioners, and Treasurer (historical; the office was abolished in 1996).

	==State Political Action Committees==		==State Political Action Committees==