Texas write in Candidates needed

What say you? (0.00 / 0)

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by: benawu @ Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 11:43:53 AM UTC

Been there, done that (2.00 / 1)

I ran as a write-in in TX-10 in 2004. It's worth doing if, and only if, you can use your run to energize Democrats in your area and get them to pay attention to the district in 2012. My run helped set the stage for Ted Ankrum's run in 2006, I have no regrets, and it was a fun adventure, but it was a lot of work.

The rules of the game are simple. Gather 500 signatures by Labor Day (approximately), submit them to the Secretary of State, and you're a registered write-in candidate. Either that, or pay a $3125 filing fee. On election day, the ballot will show the Republican, possibly a Libertarian, and a line for write-in. Posted by the voting booth will be a list of registered write-in candidates that voters can -- you guessed it -- write in for various contests. They don't have to spell you name exactly right for it to count -- if the intent of the voter is clear, it counts.

The trouble is that the press won't pay any attention to you, and that even loyal Democratic voters won't notice the list of write-in candidates. I had a $30,000 campaign, with the support of the Travis County Democratic Party, and wound up with about 14,000 votes, or 6%. I had hoped to use the campaign to help get the Democratic message out, but I don't think that anybody heard me outside the usual Democratic circles. The real value is as an act of defiance. You won't inspire fear in the Republicans, but you can inspire hope and determination in the Democrats.

Gathering 500 signatures takes considerable work if you try to do it door-to-door or standing on street corners. You need to work Democratic gatherings, like club meetings, the county convention, or even the state convention. If the Powers That Be are supportive, they can get the word out that you need signatures and send them to your table.

I wound up submitting about 900, since you never know how many of your signatures will turn out to be invalid. To be valid, a signature must come from a registered voter in your district that didn't vote in a primary featuring your race. This means that Democratic primary voters are OK, since there presumably was no Democratic candidate on the primary ballot.

One more curious rule. You don't have to live in the district to run. The people who sign your filing petition have to live in the district, but you don't.  

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by: LSadun @ Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 23:35:22 PM UTC

wow (0.00 / 0)

Thx for relating your experience.

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by: benawu @ Sun Jan 17, 2010 at 00:59:21 AM UTC

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Becoming Write-In Candidate... Need help (0.00 / 0)

LSadun:
I agree with the difficulties in terms of being a write-in Candidate. My question is whether as a write-in we could still get access to the TDP VAN. I couldn't file for the Primary due to some issues, but do want to take on the rep in TX-31.

My issues currently: Funding and a good campaign manager.
I am attempting to do everything myself, so would appreciate all the help any BOR readers can provide, or that you can provide since you've been in my situation before.

I'm in the process of thinking up a name for a campaign committee as well, so that shows where I am in the process. I intend to speed things up within the next couple of weeks, but as I said, help would be good.

Thanks
Gagan P

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by: gaganp @ Sun Jul 11, 2010 at 21:20:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]