Article

2020-02-16 Home Front: Politix

That's the front-page headline of Sunday's dead-tree version of the article. The on-line version is less outrageous: Texas has record voter numbers, but primary schedule makes it hard for presidential contenders to mobilize them
[Dallas News] Texas voters on Tuesday will start voting in the Democratic race for president, even though by the time primary Election Day rolls around, some of the candidates on the ballot may no longer be in the race.
No pity for Iowans, or New Hampshirites, it seems.
Early [Texas] voting starts Tuesday and ends Feb. 28. The primary is March 3, while the Nevada caucuses are on Feb. 22 and the South Carolina primary is Feb. 29.
Therein lies the core of the big front-page issue this Sunday.
That puts voters in an unusual predicament. It's possible that some contenders won't make it to Texas on March 3, and a vote for a candidate who dropped out would be wasted. And it's likely that the dynamic of the race will change after the more diverse populations in Nevada and South Carolina have their say.
So why bother to vote in primaries? Let the Clintons choose!
Nevertheless, Texans appear to be eager to vote. There are more voters on the rolls in Texas than at any point in its history. The state has 16.1 million eligible voters on the rolls. That's up from the 14.1 million voters eligible at a similar period in 2016, when Donald Trump was on his way to winning the White House.

So the Democratic presidential primary could be flooded with new voters, as well as the tried and true.
Look for a lot of crowing after the primary about how the high Dem turnout means Texas has turned blue.
"I would never tell anyone to not vote at the most convenient time for you, but I think you're going to see a lot of high-information Democratic primary voters kind of sit out the first week, or even two, of early vote to see what comes out in Nevada and South Carolina," said a senior political analyst at the nonpartisan research group Third Way. "It wouldn't surprise me to see a relative dip in early voting here because of that."
Signs and portents.

The schedule is another wrinkle in what's been the most unpredictable primary race in years. By having an early primary, states including Texas and California risk casting votes that become obsolete as the primary contest unfolds.

Early voting has become extremely popular in Texas and typically accounts for at least half of the overall turnout.

State Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Rowlett, said it is important for the Democratic presidential primary to attract a high number of voters. That would signal enthusiasm as the party aims at Trump and attempts to seize the Texas House. Republicans don't have a competitive presidential primary, but they want down-ballot races to draw voters.

"If we show well, we will win well," said Bowers, a Joe Biden supporter in a Texas House seat being targeted by Republicans.
Joe who?
The Texas primary is the second biggest jewel, behind California, in the Super Tuesday sweepstakes. The outcome could boost or thwart the political campaigns of several candidates.
March 3rd, kiddies.

Posted by Bobby 2020-02-16 11:56|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 More wisdom from the Dallas Morning Snooze...

Posted by ed in texas 2020-02-16 12:40|| 2020-02-16 12:40|| Front Page Top

#2 This fallacy one more time: It's possible that some contenders won't make it to Texas on March 3, and a vote for a candidate who dropped out would be wasted.

Voting for your choice of a candidate is never wasted. Choosing a candidate is not the same as picking numbers on a Lottery ticket.

Posted by magpie 2020-02-16 12:43|| 2020-02-16 12:43|| Front Page Top

#3 Choosing a candidate is not the same as picking numbers on a Lottery ticket.

Right. If you lose the lottery you are out two bucks, nobody is harmed. You win you don't give a damn who is prexident.

Posted by M. Murcek 2020-02-16 13:08|| 2020-02-16 13:08|| Front Page Top

#4 You win you don't give a damn who is prexident.

If it's Bernie, he'll collectivize your winnings--into his bank account.

Posted by charger 2020-02-16 13:14|| 2020-02-16 13:14|| Front Page Top

#5 If Boiney wins and I win the lottery prior to that it's Cayman for me.

Posted by M. Murcek 2020-02-16 13:33|| 2020-02-16 13:33|| Front Page Top

#6 I'll admit I've been playing with the idea of a negative vote for when you don't care who wins along as it isn't
fill in the blank. A negative vote would subtract one vote from the selected candidate's total. If nothing else, you can't be blamed for voting for the moke who does eventually get in.

Posted by Mercutio 2020-02-16 14:03|| 2020-02-16 14:03|| Front Page Top

#7 ^ a write-in vote has essentially the same effect

Posted by Lex 2020-02-16 15:43|| 2020-02-16 15:43|| Front Page Top

#8 How about None of the Above?

Posted by Abu Uluque 2020-02-16 15:55|| 2020-02-16 15:55|| Front Page Top

#9 ^ Next Constitution. All the losers are banned from elected office for 10 years if None of the Above wins.

Posted by Procopius2k 2020-02-16 15:58|| 2020-02-16 15:58|| Front Page Top

#10 I voted for Cruz in the 'publican primary in Texas 4 years ago. But it wasn't a throw away vote. At least it wasn't a caucus.

Posted by Texhooey 2020-02-16 18:26|| 2020-02-16 18:26|| Front Page Top

#11 That's the risk you take for voting early.

Posted by CrazyFool 2020-02-16 18:29|| 2020-02-16 18:29|| Front Page Top

#12 Maybe, but "Progressives" certainly are obsolete.

Posted by DarthVader 2020-02-16 18:50|| 2020-02-16 18:50|| Front Page Top

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