Vote Early! Vote Twice

Tomorrow, March 2 is both Texas Independence Day (independence from Mexico in 1836) and the day of the primary elections for state and local races. Voting in a primary election is for the purpose of selecting the candidate for each office who will represent a particular party in the general election in November. Usually - but not always- democrats vote for democrats in their primary and republicans vote for republicans in their primary. Occasionally, you get members from the other party attempting to sway the outcome of a primary by voting for someone they believe would be easier for the candidate of their party to beat in the general election. But, that's higher order electioneering and a rabbit trail that really isn't necessary to follow today.

But, did you know that after you vote tomorrow (or even if you voted early) there is a chance to vote a second time? At each precinct voting location the parties will be holding a precinct convention after the polls close. Among other things, participation in the conventions allow you to be chosen to participate in the party's county or senatorial convention, where delegates are chosen for the state convention. And, did you ever wonder how those people get to the national conventions to choose the presidential candidates? They are elected from their state conventions. Theyall started out by participating at the precinct conventions after the polls closed on primary election night.

In addition to choosing who (maybe even you) will represent them at future conventions, precinct conventions offer an opportunity to provide resolutions to be taken forward for consideration of the party platform committee. If you think that you have a great idea that nobody has considered before, take it to your primary convention and pitch the idea to your friends and neighbors who are there. If they agree with your brilliance, they can vote to send your idea to the next level of consideration. And, that is how you affect your party platform.

Before you decide that precinct conventions and party politics are not for you, consider this. Texas has an estimated voting age population of 17,886,333. During the last non-presidential primary, just under 1,128,000 voted in the primary. That is correct. A stunning 6.3 percent of the population got a say in who would be representing them in the general election. And, in the non-presidential general election in 2008 only 25 percent of the population bothered to vote. Only slightly better, but still a dismal reflection on our society, voter participation in the presidential election in 2008, arguably one of the most contested races in years, reached only 45 percent in Texas.

If less than 10 percent of the eligible population vote in a primary election, think of the power your vote carries if you happen to be one of them. And, if you are not one of them, think of how much that candidate you oppose benefited by your staying home. It really does matter whether or not you engage in the process.

One side note. While the rate of voting in the presidential campaign was only 45 percent, the rate of complaining about the outcome appears to be reaching much higher than that. My new rule is going to be that if you have not exercised your right to vote, do not bother complaining to me about the policies of the people elected. If you really cared, you would do something about it.

So, if you have not yet voted in the primary, tomorrow is your day to do so. But don't just vote once. Make the effort to go out and vote that second time at your precinct convention. And, if you early voted, you are still eligible for and should participate, also. Government is run, not by the most qualified, but by those who show up.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Proverbs 21:31