Only Hand-Counted Paper Ballots Will Guarantee Fair ElectionsIn April 2010, The Travis County Election Study Group released their Alternate Findings & Recommendations report & concluded that only a return to hand-counted paper ballots will guarantee fair elections. They also concluded that the current County Clerk and her Election Divisions staff have deeply entrenched biases toward electronic voting systems. Read the full report at www.voterescue.org. Travis County Greens Encourage Citizens to Run for Office
The Legislature has mostly sorted out redistricting. The final deadline to for the party to file its' candidates for this year is Friday, March 9th. There are no filing fees for any Green Party candidates because the party nominates by convention and not a primary. Fill out the paperwork and get the information to a Green Party Co-chair in order to run for office. We must move toward a multiparty democracy that encourages citizen participation, rejects "lesser-evilism", and challenges the status quo. Are you ready to be a democracy champion? Talk to your friends, co-workers, and family. If you hear the calling, please consider running for office.
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Willie Nelson for Travis County Sheriff?
This Friday, March 9th, is the last day for the Green Party to file its' slate of candidates with the secretary of state's office. The Green Party encourages citizens who adhere to the party's 10 Key Values to run for office throughout the county and beyond. Here is the initial paperwork that needs to be submitted as soon as possible to the Green Party Co-chair: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/pol-sub/2-8f.pdf.
Travis County Green Party Supports Ballot Access Efforts
The Travis County Green Party offers its' support and encouragement to the political parties working to achieve ballot access in the state of Texas. Ballot access in this state hasn't been easy these last 40 years. However, due to the redistricting delay, new parties can petition to be on the ballot starting March 1st with all petitions due June 29th. Secretary of state has more details:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/minor.shtml.
Happy Birthday, Ralph Nader!!
The Travis County Green Party wishes a happy 78th birthday to Ralph Nader, consumer safety and Green Party pioneer. Thanks for all of your hard work and the work you continue to do. Ralph's blog can be found at http://www.nader.org/
Green Party Co-Chair's Letter to the Editor
Travis County Green Party's Co-Chair has been published once more in our great local free paper, the Austin Chronicle. Read Bill's hard-hitting words here:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/postmarks/2012-02-16/1304656/
Austinites for Geographic Representation begins petition to challenge at-large city districts
Petitioning begins Oct. 19th for a public vote in May for 10 single-member districts (throughout the entire city.) 20,000 signatures needed by January 15th, 2012. Next organizational meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 11th at 6:30 pm at Mexitas Restaurant, located between 11th & 12th Street on the east side of IH-35. Travis County Green Party supports these efforts and encourages all interested to attend.
http://www.austinpost.org/content/visualize-fair-geographic-representation
David Cobb Event "Move to Amend"
2002 Texas Attorney General and 2004 Presidential Candidate is in Austin again supporting the campaign to abolish corporate personhood. Taking place Sunday, October 9th at 5604 Manor Rd.
http://movetoamend.org/events/austin-tx-move-amend-texas-tour
Travis County Green Party endorses Kathie Tovo for City Council
The Travis County Green Party is proud to endorse Kathie Tovo for Austin City Council. If Travis County had a ranked-choice voting system or instant-runoff voting (IRV), Austinites would not need to vote on two occasions to have their voice heard. Our wish list also includes greater transparency and greater oversight of city and federal funds, respect for and enforcement of the open meetings act, a no vote on Formula 1, and a no vote on Water Treatment Plant #4. Early voting lasts until Tuesday, June 14th and Election Day is Saturday, June 18th. Get out there and vote again for Kathie!!
STOP THE BUDGET CUTS ! : March & Rally to SAVE OUR STATESTOP THE BUDGET CUTS ! Wednesday, April 6 Join Texans from around the state for a massive march, rally, and lobby day! Building on the spirit and energy of rallies around the country calling on state governments to prioritize education, health care, public safety, the environment, and jobs, we will demand that Texas take a balanced approach to balancing the state budget by spending our state's savings in the Rainy Day Fund and finding new revenue. Be part of a the movement to move Texas forward! UT students and staff feeder march: Sponsored by Texas Forward, the Texas State Employees Union, the Texas AFL-CIO, Texas AFT, and a number of other organizations. More info: http://www.april62011.org
END THE WARS ! FUND THE PEOPLE ! March & Rally
While the US is engaging in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, and giving billions of dollars in aid to Israel, which continues to threaten the Palestinians, we are left with Governors like Wisconsin's Scott Walker and Texas' Rick Perry, who want to strip us of our labor rights, lay off teachers, close our schools, and deny us health care. Meanwhile, big corporations pollute our environment, make record profits, and pay low or no taxes. These priorities are upside down! Come to a rally to demand an end to the wars abroad and a re-direction of funding to basic services for the people: education, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs, clean air and water. Sponsored by: Iraq Veterans Against the War-Austin, Veterans for Peace-Austin, Sustainable Options for Youth, Under the Hood Cafe, Palestine Solidarity Committee, CodePink-Austin, International Socialist Organization, Nuke Free Texas, and more. For more information or to co-sponsor: AustinSocialist @hotmail.com
NOV. 2 ELECTION LANDS GREENS ON BALLOT FOR 2012In his race for Comptroller of Public Accounts, Ed Lindsay received more than 6% of the votes. While our intent was to have Lindsay win the race and take over as State Comptroller, we are delighted with a result that allows the Green Party to stay on the ballot for the upcoming elections in 2012. Since we know that we will be on the ballot, we have the opportunity to recruit qualified candidates for a variety of races. The Green Party hopes to offer a true alternative to the standard corporate parties across the board on Election Day, 2012. In fact, YOU may be one of those qualified candidates. Please contact us txgreens@txgreens.org and let us know of your plans. It's not too soon to start planning for an effective grassroots campaign. In other races, Green candidates results ranged from 18% to less than 1%. Many of these candidates were running for the first time, and while they may not have won their races, they gained practical experience in organizing a campaign, dealing with the media, and honing their messages. Texas needs experienced candidates with an unapologetically progressive message, and the GP is proud to offer a spot on the ballot for those progressive candidates. Unfortunately, many voters this year voted a straight party Republican or Democrat ticket. This voting behavior did not leave much room for alternative candidates. We have two years to work on educating Texas voters and trying to make a change in the election laws. Either way, the result will be a truer democracy and will give voters the opportunity to look beyond the politicians and political parties who brought this country to the brink of a Second Great Depression, and those who have been in control while the economic divide has grown by leaps and bounds. The Green Party works for true opportunity for a secure life for all. True security includes a living wage, exceptional and accessible public education (K-12 and college), medical care for all from private providers paid by a single payer (no for-profit insurance companies involved), a fair and non-violent relationship with other nations around the world, the end to a "war" on drugs that has incarcerated a significant percentage of our people for non-violent offenses, the end to the death penalty, and a long-term view of how to keep our world inhabitable with clean air and clean water across the globe.
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GREENS HELP LOCAL WOMAN IN HER FIGHT FOR JUSTICEWhere's the City of Austin & the DA hiding? ------------------------------------ The story was just picked up by Austin's TODO magazine. By Katie Walsh By Katie Walsh ------------------------------------ Allissa Chambers, founder of Austinites Lobbying for Municipal Accountability (ALMA), and her family, were severely abused for many years by both City of Austin contractors and beaurocrats. But her story is hardly unique. Austin City Managers, City Council members, Travis County Commissioners, two Austin Mayors, two District Attorneys, and the U.S. Attorney have received several letters and all the documentation they need, but have so far refused to pursue accountability, or make reparations, for possibly criminally misspent Federal Funds that resulted in the abuse of Allissa Chambers and her family. Representative Doggett's office has been alerted that these matters are now of federal concern. "They won’t answer our questions, which in and of itself is a violation of Title 18 of United States Code. It’s mandatory that public officials provide some response, especially on misuse of federal funds, as well as violations of criminal statutes," says Clint Smith of the Gray Panthers. Together with The Gray Panthers, the Travis County Green Party is committed to helping Allissa Chambers, ALMA, and citizens generally, by giving them a voice, in their struggle for Justice and Accountability! |