Some upcoming US local/state/Congressional special elections:
I know voting might feel very pointless right now, but every Democrat we can get in office is another roadblock, another obstacle, something slowly down the regime from consolidating total control. Republicans' focus on consolidating power down ballot is part of why they've been able to dominate America even with minority support, as they can gerrymander states, obstruct in Congress, etc. We need to do much better here.
Provided the candidates aren't Republicans in disguise, of course- VET YOUR CANDIDATES!
Leaders who will tackle polluters could be the driving force to set the state up to win in the global energy transition.
For Texan voters, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, a primary Democratic Senate candidate who was endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, wrote an op-ed reminding Texans that the Railroad Commissioner election is important if you care about the climate crisis. The Democratic candidate for the Railroad Commissioner is Chrysta Castañeda, whose platform is taking flaring more seriously than the anti-regulation incumbent.
If you care about climate change, look down ballot. Keep going after you make your pick for president and the Senate. Down in the statewide races, cloaked by a misleading name, is a critical choice. Don’t miss it. Texas voters have a power other Americans don’t.Â
Oil and gas drillers ask for permission to waste Texas’ natural resources by venting natural gas straight into the atmosphere or flaring it (burning it off) and the Railroad Commission routinely approves them without even so much as a hearing. One commissioner can require a hearing and require producers to prove the necessity of flaring a greenhouse gas (methane) that is 86 times more potent than CO2. Another seat on the three member commission will be up in 2022. Electing candidates to these seats that take seriously their role to regulate oil and gas could have far reaching implications. Advocates that care deeply about climate change could move our state — long synonymous with oil and gas — into a clean energy future that will better position the state to succeed long term.
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Check out the nonpartisan Vote411 which directly sources the profile and campaign pages from the candidates when elections are close.
However, sometimes Vote 411 misses some local candidates and races. So you’ll have to check out your County Election office and ask for a sample ballot and then Google your potential choices from there.
Early voting in TX begins today. Two of the proposed amendments stem from restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texans, early voting has started for these important statewide constitutional amendments. You may also have other matters on your ballot depending on your local area. Please pay attention since these elections are often taken for granted.
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Proposition 1 would allow charitable raffles at rodeo events. Unauthorized raffles can be considered illegal gambling under Texas law.
Proposition 2: tax financing for county infrastructure This amendment would authorize counties to issue bonds or notes to raise funds for transportation infrastructure in underdeveloped areas. Already, cities and towns have the authority to fund projects with this financing method.
Proposition 3: would ban the state from prohibiting or limiting religious services, including those in churches and other places of worship. The move stems from conflicts over churches that closed during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. Some local officials extended stay-at-home orders to include places of worship, requiring them to limit attendance or make services virtual - a trend Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans pushed back on. But critics of the proposal worry the change could prevent the government from acting to protect people in future emergencies, such as evacuations and public health emergencies.
Proposition 4 would require candidates to have 10 years of experience practicing law in Texas to be eligible for election to the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals or a Texas court of appeals. Currently, the law requires 10 years of experience but allows for out-of-state experience. Proponents of the change argue it could create a higher-quality judiciary, but opponents say the proposed requirements could reduce voter choice and diversity within the candidate pool. In Texas, judges are elected by popular vote.
Proposition 5: judicial misconduct process - would allow the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to have oversight of candidates running for judicial seats by accepting complaints or reports, conducting investigations and reprimanding them.
Proposition 6: essential caregiver designation  - This amendment would allow residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to designate one essential caregiver who cannot be denied in-person visitation rights. If the proposition passes, the Legislature would create further guidelines for these caregivers. Like Proposition 3, Proposition 6 also comes as a response to pandemic-era restrictions. Nursing homes, which were hit particularly hard by COVID-19, saw extended visitation restrictions that prevented residents from seeing family and friends for months.
Proposition 7: property tax exemptions for bereaved families
Proposition 8 would expand eligibility for residential homestead tax exemptions to include spouses of military members killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. Currently, the exemption is extended to spouses of military members killed in action. The new eligibility would include people killed in accidental vehicle crashes or non-hostile events.
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Texas Voter Info:Â https://www.votetexas.gov/
Check your registration and polling location:Â https://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do
The governor's race tops the Louisiana ballot. John Bel Edwards is trying to win reelection to a second term and faces five opponents.
LOUISIANA ELECTION TODAY
Polls are open until 8pm (and if you're still in line past that line, STAY IN LINE)
THE STAKES: the governorship, & attorney general, & secretary of state (which is crucial for voting rights), & GOP's bid for legislative supermajorities, and also more than 60 sheriff's races, crucial for ICE & jail conditions.
Louisianians, find your polling place: https://lavote.net/Locator/
More Louisiana election info: https://www.sos.la.gov/…/GetElectionInfo…/Pages/default.aspx
