How To Vote In Texas

Transcription

1 2014 Voter s Guide Make an informed Decision. E verything that impacts our daily lives is, in some way, influenced by a legislator or an elected official. One or more of these elected officials will impact our lives in some way or another and these elected officials have an influence that Black people should not ignore or take lightly. Whether we believe our vote will matter or not (and it most assuredly will), we will have to adhere to the laws enacted by those who will be elected this November and making the right decision to cast our vote is the only way we can ensure we have a say in who represents us. This November, there are no excuses. The African American community must help influence public policy and not take our precious voting rights for granted. We must pay it forward for our future generation of leaders by resurrecting the same spirit of unified strength that helped us overcome the atrocities of the past. Time will tell This November to be exact. Early voting begins October 20th. Election Day is November 4th. See you at the polls.

2 2B houston Forward Times October 2014 Important Dates October Early Voting November 4 - General Election *Voter i.d. required Register To Vote To vote in Texas, you must be registered. Simply pick up a voter registration application, fill it out, and mail it at least 30 days before the election date. You are eligible to register to vote if: You are a United States citizen; You are a resident of the county where you submit the application; You are at least 18 years old on Election Day; You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole); and You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. Are you already registered? To confirm your voter registration status, you may select one of three methods to perform a search: Your Texas driver s license number, if you provided it when you applied for voter registration; Your Voter Unique Identifier (VUID), which appears on your voter registration certificate; Your first and last name. Where to Get an Application You can register in person at your county Voter Registrar s office. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) Or you can register by mail by obtaining an application from your county Voter Registrar s office or the Secretary of State s office. You can also pick up applications at libraries, government offices, or high schools. Required Identification (Voting in Person) Don t have a photo ID for voting? Election Identification Certificates are available from DPS driver license offices during regular business hours. Find mobile station locations here. Frequently Asked Questions In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) creating a new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in person. While pending review within the judicial system, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Shelby County v. Holder, which effectively ended all pending litigation. As a result, voters are now required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to vote in all Texas Elections. This requirement is effective immediately. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID: Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS Texas personal identification card issued by DPS Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS United States military identification card containing the person s photograph United States citizenship certificate containing the person s photograph United States passport With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. Procedures for Voting When a voter arrives at a polling location, the voter will be asked to present one of the seven (7) acceptable forms of photo ID. Election officials will now be required by State law to determine whether the voter s name on the identification provided matches the name on the official list of registered voters ( OLRV ). After a voter presents their ID, the election worker will compare it to the OLRV. If the name on the ID matches the name on the list of registered voters, the voter will follow the regular procedures for voting. If the name does not match exactly but is substantially similar to the name on the OLRV, the voter will be permitted to vote as long as the voter signs an affidavit stating that the voter is the same person on the list of registered voters. If a voter does not have proper identification, the voter will still be permitted to vote provisionally. The voter will have (six) 6 days to present proper identification to the county voter registrar, or the voter s ballot will be rejected. Exemption/Exceptions: Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing he or she has been determined to have a disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. In addition, the applicant must state that he or she has no valid form of photo identification. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote by presenting a voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption. Please contact your voter registrar for more details. Voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed and voters who do not have any valid form of photo identification as a result of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor, may vote a provisional ballot, appear at the voter registrar s office within six (6) calendar days after election day, and sign an affidavit swearing to the religious objection or natural disaster, in order for your ballot to be counted. Please contact your county voter registrar for more details. Frequently Asked Questions 1. When does the new photo identification law go into effect? The new photo identification requirement is effective immediately. 2. What kind of identification will be required to qualify to vote in person under the new program? A voter will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before the voter will be permitted to cast a vote. Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS Texas personal identification card issued by DPS Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS United States military identification card containing the person s photograph United States citizenship certificate containing the person s photograph United States passport 3. My ID is expired. Will it still work? With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. 4. But what if a voter does not have any of these forms of photo ID? Are there any exceptions? If a voter does not have a permanent disability exemption (addressed below) indicated on his or her voter registration certificate AND the voter does not have any of the photo identifications indicated above at the time of voting, the voter may cast a provisional ballot at the polls. However, in order to have the provisional ballot counted, the voter will be required to visit the voter registrar s office within six calendar days of the date of the election to either present one of the above forms of photo ID OR submit one of the temporary affidavits addressed below (e.g., religious objection or natural disaster) in the presence of the county voter registrar while attesting to the fact that he or she does not have any of the required photo IDs. A permanent exemption is available for voters with documented disabilities. Voters with a disability may apply with the county voter registrar for a permanent exemption. The application must contain written documentation from either the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing the applicant s disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent. In addition, the applicant must state that he or she has no valid form of photo identification. Those who obtain a disability exemption will be allowed to vote by presenting a voter registration certificate reflecting the exemption. Affidavits are available for voters who have a consistent religious objection to being photographed and for voters who do not have any photo identification as a result of certain natural disasters as declared by the President of the United States or the Texas Governor within 45 days of the day the ballot was cast. 5. If I have a government-issued ID that contains my photo and it is not on the list above, may I use it? If you do not have one of the forms of photo IDs listed above and your voter registration certificate does not have a disability exemption noted, you will only be eligible to cast a provisional ballot. 6. My name on my approved photo ID does not exactly match my name on my voter registration card. Can I still vote? Election officials will review the ID and if a name is substantially similar to the name on their list of registered voters, you will still be able to vote, but you will also have to submit an affidavit stating that you are the same person on the list of registered voters. 7. What does substantially similar mean? A voter s name is considered substantially similar if one or more of the following circumstances applies: The name on the ID is slightly different from one or more of the name fields on the official list of registered voters. The name on the voter s ID or on list of registered voters is a customary variation of the voter s formal name. For example, Bill for William, or Beto for Alberto. The voter s name contains an initial, middle name, or former name that is either not on the official list of registered voters or on the voter s ID. A first name, middle name, former name or initial of the voter s name occupies a different field on the presented ID document than it does on the list of registered voters. In considering whether a name is substantially similar, election officials will also look at whether information on the presented ID matches elements of the voter s information on the official list of registered voters such as the voter s residence address or date of birth. 8. Does the new photo ID requirement apply to voting by mail? The new requirement does not change the process for voting by mail. 9. Does the address on my photo identification have to match my address on the official list of registered voters at the time of voting? The new requirement makes no determination on voter address matching criteria; therefore, there is no address matching requirement. 10. When is the DPS Election Identification Certificate going to be available? The Election Identification Certificate is now available. Information regarding how to obtain an election identification certificate can be found at You may also contact DPS by telephone at (512) for more information. 11. What happens if I refuse to show proof of identity? Voters who refuse to show proof of identity will be allowed to vote by provisional ballot. However, please be advised that a refusal to show ID is not a valid ground for casting a provisional ballot, and it is likely that the voter s ballot will be rejected by the ballot board. We hope you have found this information helpful. Should you need additional information, please contact our office via telephone at VOTE (8683) or via at elections@sos. state.tx.us. Your Voter Registration Card After you apply, a voter registration certificate (your proof of registration) will be mailed to you within 30 days. Check your certificate to be sure all information is correct. If there is a mistake, make corrections and return it to the Voter Registrar immediately. On your registration certificate, you will see a precinct number. Your residence is located in a specific precinct, or area within the county where you will vote on Election Day. In some cases, precincts may be combined to accommodate joint local elections, so always consult your County Clerk or Elections Administrator in the days before an election for the address of the polling place where you re to vote. If your county has supplied us with polling place information, you can find that information here: County Precincts and Polling Place Addresses When you go to the polls to vote, present one of the seven (7) approved forms of photo ID and election officials will match your name to the official list of registered voters. For voters that applied for and received the permanent exemption from showing a photo ID based in their disability status, this status will be notated on their voter registration certificate. These voters are required to present their voter registration certificate when they go to the polls to vote. If you lose your certificate, notify your county Voter Registrar in writing to receive a new one. You will automatically receive a new certificate every two years if you haven t moved from the address at which you are registered. Did You Change Something? Are you still registered to vote if you moved or changed your name since the last time you voted? Simply follow the guidelines below to find out. Did you move within your county? If you moved from one place to another in the same county, you ll need to notify the Voter Registrar in your county in writing of your new address. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) There are several ways to do this: Correct your current voter registration certificate on the back and return it to the Voter Registrar. Fill out a new voter registration application form and check the change box. When you apply for or change your Texas driver s license, change your voter information at the same time. As long as you reside in the same county, you can change your information online at thesecretary of State s Voter Registration Name/Address Change website. The screen will prompt you through the process and the changes that you make will be forwarded to your county Voter Registrar for processing. You will be mailed a new certificate with your new address and be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after you submitted your change. If you miss the 30-day deadline to change information on your voter registration certificate, you may vote in your former precinct as long as you still reside in the political subdivision conducting the election. Did you move to another county? If you moved to another county, YOU MUST RE-REGISTER! Fill out and mail a new application, or take it in person, to the Voter Registrar of your new county. (In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters.) You will receive a new voter registration certificate 30 days after your application is submitted and accepted. If you are late to register in your new county, you may be able to vote a limited ballot on candidates or issues common between your old and new counties. You may only vote this limited ballot after you have moved to your new residence, during the early voting period by mail or personal appearance (not on Election Day) and if: You are a current registered voter in your former county; You would be eligible to vote in your former county on Election Day, if you were still living in that county; You have not re-registered in the new county, or, if you have re-registered, the effective date of the new registration will not be effective on or before Election day. Did you change your name? Promptly notify your county Voter Registrar in writing of the change. There are several ways to do this: Correct your current voter registration certificate on the back and return it to the Voter Registrar; Fill out a new voter registration application form and check the change box; When you apply for or change your Texas driver s license, change your voter information at the same time; or As long as you reside in the same county, you can change your information online at thesecretary of State s Voter Registration Name/Address Change website. The screen will prompt you through the process, and the changes that you make will be forwarded to your county Voter Registrar for processing. Information courtesy of

3 houston Forward Times October B United States Senator David M. Alameel - D 5310 Harvest Hill Rd.Mail Box 109 Dallas, TX info@alameelforsenate.com John Cornyn - R 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 Houston, TX Fax: U.S. Representative-District 2 Niko Letsos - D Westheimer RD #650 Houston, TX npletsos@nikoletsos.com Ted Poe - R 710 N. Post Oak Road Suite 510 Houston, TX (713) (TPOE) (713) fax (877) toll free U.S. Representative-District 7 James Cargas - D 2450 Louisiana # Houston, TX (713) John Culberson - R Memorial Drive Suite 620 Houston, TX Phone:(713) Fax:(713) culberson.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 8 Kevin Brady - R 200 River Pointe, Ste 304 Conroe, TX Ph:(936) Fax: (936) kevinbrady.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 9 Al Green - D 3003 South Loop West, Suite 460 Houston, TX Ph: Fax: algreen.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 10 Tawana Walter-Cadien - D P.O. Box 1713 Cypress, Texas tawanacadienforcongress.com Michael McCaul - R 1773 Westborough Drive, Suite 223 Katy Commerce Center Katy, TX Phone: (281) mccaul.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 18 Sheila Jackson Lee - D 1919 Smith Street Suite 1180 Houston, TX ph: (713) fax: (713) jacksonlee.house.gov Sean Seibert - R PO Box Houston, TX seanseibert.com U.S. Representative-District 22 Frank Briscoe - D briscoeforcongress.com Pete Olson - R 6302 W. Broadway St, Ste 220 Pearland, TX ph: fax: olson.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 29 Gene Green - D 256 N. Sam Houston Pkwy East, Suite 29 Houston, TX Ph: (281) Fax: (281) green.house.gov U.S. Representative-District 36 Michael K. Cole - D PO Box 1486 Orange Tx michaelcole.us Brian Babin - R P. O. BOX 159 Woodville, TX babinforcongress.com GOVERNOR Wendy R. Davis - D 1111 Holman Street Houston, TX wendydavistexas.com Greg Abbott - R PO Box 308 Austin, TX gregabbott.com Lieutenant Governor Leticia Van de Putte - D P.O. Box 8490 San Antonio, TX leticiavandeputte.com Dan Patrick - R PO Box Austin, Texas danpatrick.org Attorney General Sam Houston - D 1302 Waugh, #323 Houston, TX (832) samhoustonfortexas.com Ken Paxton - R P.O. Box 3476 McKinney, Texas (469) kenpaxton.com Comptroller of Public Accounts Mike Collier - D P.O. Box Humble, TX collierfortexas.com Glenn Hegar - R 815-A Brazos Street, #389 Austin, TX glennhegar.com Commissioner of General Land Office John Cook - D 109 North Oregon Street Suite 1106 E El Paso, TX cookfortexas.org George P. Bush - R P.O. Box 26677, Austin, Texas (855) georgepfortexas.org Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Hogan - D 2917 CR423 Cleburne, TX (817) Sid Miller - R 6407 S US Hwy 377 Stephenville, TX (254) Railroad Commissioner Steve Brown - D Ryan Sitton - R PO Box Austin, TX Chief Justice, Supreme Court William Moody - D 500 E. San Antonio Suite 905 El Paso, Texas Phone (915) Nathan Hecht - R P.O. Box 776 Austin, Texas Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 Lawrence Edward Meyers - D P.O. Box Austin, TX Jeff Brown - R 2726 Bissonnet Street, Suite Houston, Texas (512) Justice, Supreme Court, Place 7 Gina Benavides - D 817 E. Esperanza McAllen, TX (956) Jeff Boyd - R 815-A Brazos Street PMB 694 Austin, TX justicejeffboyd.org

4 4B houston Forward Times October 2014 Justice, Supreme Court, Place 8 Phil Johnson - R PO Box Austin, Texas (512) Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 John Granberg - D 310 N Mesa St Ste 424 El Paso, TX Office: Bert Richardson - R 126 La Vaca San Antonio, TX Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4 Kevin Patrick Yeary - R PO Box San Antonio, Texas (210) Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9 David C. Newell - R P.O. Box 33 Richmond, TX (713) david@newellforjudge.com Member, State Board of Education, District 4 Lawrence A. Allen, Jr. - D 2130 Vermillion Oak St. Fresno, Texas (713) sboesupport@tea.state.tx.us Dorothy Olmos - R 6678 Sylvan Road Houston, TX info@votedorothyolmos.com Joan Huffman - R PO Box Houston, Texas office District 126 Patricia Harless - R 6630 Cypresswood, #275 Spring, Texas (281) patriciaharless.com District 127 Dan Huberty - R 1 E. Greenway Plaza, Ste 225, Houston, TX District 128 Wayne Smith - R 909 Decker Drive, Suite 104 Baytown, TX (832) waynesmithcampaign.com District 129 John Gay - D 4818 East Ben White Blvd., Suite 104 Austin, TX (512) Dennis Paul - R (281) dennis@dennispaul.com dennispaul.com District 130 Allen Fletcher- R NW Frwy. Bldg 9, Ste 199 Cypress, Texas (281) fletcherfortexas.com District 134 Alison Ruff - D 4818 East Ben White Blvd., Suite 104 Austin, TX (512) Sarah Davis- R 4203 Tennyson Street Houston, TX campaign@gmail.com District 135 Moiz Abbas - D 4818 East Ben White Blvd., Suite 104 Austin, TX (512) Gary Elkins - R 9601 Jones Road Suite 215 Houston, TX (832) District 137 Gene Wu - D 6500 Rookin, Bldg C Houston, TX (713) genefortexas.com Morad Fiki - R P.O. Box Houston, TX Fikifortexas@gmail.com District 138 Fred R. Vernon - D 6500 Rookin, Bldg C Houston, TX (713) genefortexas.com Dwayne Bohac - R P.O. Box , Houston, Texas campaign@bohac.com State Senator, District 7 Jim Davis - D 4818 East Ben White Blvd., Suite 104 Austin, TX (512) Paul Bettencourt - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 (713) State Senator, District 15 John Whitmire - D 803 Yale Street Houston, Texas (713) Ron Hale - R 6602 Underhill St. Houston, Texas (281) ronhalefortexas.com State Senator, District 17 Rita Lucido - D PO Box Houston, TX District 131 Alma Allen - D Fondren Road, Suite 500 Houston, TX (713) almaallen.org District 132 Luis Lopez - D 1445 North Loop West, Suite 110I Houston, Texas (713) Mike Schofield - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 Houston, TX (713) District 133 Laura Nicol - D Memorial Dr Houston, TX (281) Jim Murphy - R 1 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 225 Houston, TX (713) District 139 Sylvester Turner - D P.O. Box Houston, TX (832) District 140 Armando Lucio Walle - D 150 West Parker Road, Suite 700 Houston, TX (713) District 141 Senfronia Thompson - D Homestead Road Houston, TX (713) District 142 Harold V. Dutton, Jr. - D 8799 N. Loop East, Suite 305 Houston, TX (713)

5 houston Forward Times October B District 143 Ana Hernandez - D 1233 Mercury Drive Houston, TX (713) District 144 Mary Ann Perez - D 101 S. Richey Suite F Pasadena, TX (713) Gilbert Pena - R P.O.Box 3113 Pasadena, TX info@takeback144.com District 145 Carol Alvarado - D P.O. Box Houston, Texas (713) repalvarado145@hotmail.com District 146 Borris L. Miles - D 5302 Almeda, Suite A Houston, TX District 147 Garnet F. Coleman - D 5445 Almeda, Suite 501 Houston, TX (713) District 148 Jessica Cristina Farrar - D P.O. Box Houston, TX (713) Chris Carmona - R PO Box 7137 Houston, TX chris@chriscarmona.com District 149 Hubert Vo - D 7474 South Kirkwood #106 Houston, TX (281) hubertvo.com Al Hoang - R P.O. Box 41964, Houston, TX info@votealhoang.com District 150 Amy Perez - D P.O. Box Houston, TX Debbie Riddle - R Kuykendahl, Suite 108 Spring, TX Chief Justice, 14th Court of Appeals Kyle Carter - D 1811 Southmore Houston, TX (713) Kem Thompson Frost - R 301 Fannin, Suite 245 Houston, TX (713) Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 Jim Sharp - D 301 Fannin Houston, TX (713) Russell Lloyd - R P.O. Box Houston, Texas Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 5 Laura Carter Higley - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 Houston, Texas (713) info@lauracarterhigley.com Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 4 Marc Brown - R P.O. Box Houston, Texas beta.justicemarcbrown.com Justice, 14th Court of Appeals District, Place 7 Gordon Goodman - D P.O. Box Houston, TX (713) info@goodmanforjustice.com Ken Wise - R P.O. Box Austin, Texas (512) District Attorney Kim Ogg - D 2500 West Loop South Suite 318 Houston, Texas (713) kim-ogg.com Devon Anderson - R 1 Greenway Plaza 225 Houston TX (713) th Judicial District Kay Morgan - D (713) (713) morgan4judge.com kkmorgan@mostynlaw.com Jeff Shadwick - R 201 Caroline, 9th Fl. Houston, TX jeffshadwick@att.net 113th Judicial District Steven E. Kirkland - D P.O. Box Houston, TX Michael Landrum - R mikellandrum@gmail.com 157th Judicial District Jim Peacock - D 112 E 4th Street Houston, TX (713) Randy Wilson - R 201 Caroline, 11th Floor randywwilson@aol.com 180th Judicial District Randy Roll - D judgeroll@judgerandyroll.com reroll@comcast.net judgerandyroll.com Catherine Evans - R P.O. Box 1581 Houston, TX catherine@catherineevans.org catherineevans.org 182nd Judicial District Jeannine Barr - R 1201 Franklin St. Houston, TX (713) jeanninebarr@gmail.com 183rd Judicial District Vanessa Velasquez - R 1201 Franklin, 18th Floor vangela350@aol.com 184th Judicial District Mark Thering - D 1305 Prairie #300 Houston, TX (713) lawring@yahoo.com Jan Krocker - R 1201 Franklin, 17th Floor (713) th Judicial District Mack McInnis - D P. O. BOX Houston, Texas (713) mail@mackmcinnis.com Susan Brown - R 1201 Franklin, 17th Floor sb185@comcast.net 189th Judicial District Ursula A. Hall - D PO Box 2103 Houston, Texas (281) judgeursulahall.com

6 6B houston Forward Times October 2014 Bill Burke - R 201 Caroline, 12th Floor (713) th Judicial District Farrah Martinez - D FarrahforJudge@gmail.com farrahforjudge.com Patricia J. Kerrigan - R 201 Caroline St. Houston, TX (713) judgepatriciajkerrigan@yahoo.com 208th Judicial District Chuck Silverman - D no public contact information provided by this candidate. Denise Collins - R 1201 Franklin, 17th Floor (713) th Judicial District Michael T. McSpadden- R 1201 Franklin, 17th Floor (713) th Judicial District Marc Carter - R 1201 Franklin, 16th Floor (713) Sandra Peake - D P.O. Box, Houston, TX (713) th Judicial District Clinton Chip Wells - D cew2009@gmail.com 248th Judicial District Shawna L. Reagin - D Katherine Cabaniss - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 (713) th Judicial District Judy Warne - R 201 Caroline, 16th Floor (713) judywarne@earthlink.net 262nd Judicial District Jules Johnson - D 7804 SCOTT ST. HOUSTON TX (832) Denise Bradley - R P.O. Box 3002 Houston, Texas contact@electdenisebradley.com 280th Judicial District Barbara J. Stalder - D Lynn Bradshaw Hull - R 201 Caroline, 15th Floor judgebradshawhull@live.com 281st Judicial District Tanner Garth - D 1722 Heights Boulevard Houston, TX (713) Sylvia Matthews - R 1 E Greenway Plaza, Suite (713) th Judicial District Latosha Lewis - D P.O. Box Houston, Texas (713) Caroline E. Baker - R 201 Caroline, 14th Floor (713) Baker1@gmail.com 334th Judicial District, Unexpired Term Daryl Moore - D 1445 North Loop West, Suite 110 Houston, Texas (713) th Judicial District Greg Glass- D 1744 Norfolk Houston, Texas (713) gregglass4judge.com Brad Hart - R 4830 Wilson Rd., #300, PMB 179 Humble, TX bradhartforjudge.com 263rd Judicial District Herb Ritchie - D 1744 Norfolk St. Houston, Texas (713) HRitchie4Judge@aol.com Jim Wallace- R 1201 Franklin, 15th Floor (713) Eagle151@att.net Grant Dorfman - R 201 Caroline, 14th Floor (713) grant_dorfman@att.net Family 245th Judicial District Roy L. Moore - R 2920 Virginia Street Houston, TX royal621@att.net 232nd Judicial District Mary Lou Keel - R 1201 Franklin, 16th Floor (713) mlkeel@earthlink.net 234th Judicial District Barbara Gardner - D 1415 South Voss Road # Houston, TX (832) gardnerforjudge.info Wesley Ward - R P.O. Box 1581 Houston, TX (713) wesleyward.com 246th Judicial District District 132 George H. Arnold - D georgearnoldcampaign.com Dan Hinde - R 1609 Shoal Creek, Suite 203 Austin, Texas (512) th Judicial District James Hippard, Jr. - D Brent Gamble - R Brent_Gamble@sbcglobal.net Family 246th Judicial District Charley Prine - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 charleyprine@gmail.com Family 247th Judicial District John Schmude - R PO Box Spring, TX (832) Family 308th Judicial District Jim Evans - D (713) info@jimevans4judge.com

7 houston Forward Times October B James Lombardino - R P.O. Box 3893 Houston, TX (713) Family 309th Judicial District Kathy Vossler - D 2209 Union Street Houston, Texas Sheri Y. Dean - R 2437 Bay Area Blvd., #235 Houston, Texas (713) Family 310th Judicial District Lisa Millard - R 201 Caroline, 15th Floor judgemillard@gmail.com Family 311th Judicial District Sherri Cothrun - D 917 Franklin Street, Suite 220 (713) cothrunforjudge.com Alicia Fanklin - R 405 Main St, Suite 401 Houston tx AliciaforJudge@gmail.com Family 312th Judicial District David Farr - R 201 Caroline, 16th Floor (713) Family 313th Judicial District Tracy D. Good - D tracydgoodforjudge.com Glen Devlin - R 3 Beavertail Pt. Houston, TX ghdevlin4@aol.com Ed Emmett - R 2726 Bissonnet, Suite Houston, TX (713) Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 1 Debra Ibarra Mayfield - R 4617 Montrose Blvd., Suite C202 Houston, TX (713) Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 2 Scot Dolli Dollinger - D 700 Gemini Suite 120 Houston, Texas Theresa Chang - R P. O. Box Houston, Texas (713) Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 3 Gloria Cantu Minnick - D 5811 Irvington Blvd Houston, TX (713) Linda Storey - R 201 Caroline - 5th Floor storey.linda@gmail.com Judge, County Civil Court at Law No. 4 Damon Crenshaw - D 3730 Kirby Drive, Suite 1200, #186 Houston, Texas damoncrenshawforjudge.com Roberta Lloyd - R P.O. Box 4055 Houston, Texas info@judgelloyd.com judgelloyd.com No. 1 Paula Goodhart - R paulagoodhart@yahoo.com Nikita Niki Harmon - D P.O.Box Houston, TX (713) harmon4judge.com John Clinton - R judge@judgeclinton.com No. 5 Ramona Franklin - D Margaret Stewart Harris - R 8524 Highway 6 North, Box 515 Houston, TX judgemargaretharris@gmail.com No. 6 Linda Geffin - D P.O. Box Houston, Texas geffinforjudge.com Larry Standley - R Robert.Flanagan@gophq.com No. 7 Sheila Acosta - D no public contact information provided by this candidate Pamela Derbyshire - R judgepamderbyshire@gmail.com No. 8 Kelli Johnson - D johnsonforjudge.nationbuilder.com Jay Karahan - R PO Box Houston TX info@judgejaykarahan.com judgejaykarahan.com Family 314th Judicial District Natalia Oakes - D 5773 Woodway Drive, Suite 173 Houston, Texas (713) nataliaforjudge.com John Phillips - R 1200 Congress, 5th Floor (713) Family 315th Judicial District Michael Mike Schneider - R P.O. Box 4202 Houston, Texas info@mikeschneider.org No. 2 Harold J. Landreneau - D PO Box Houston, Texas harold4judge.com Bill Harmon - R harmonbilly@yahoo.com No. 3 Natalie C. Fleming - R judgenataliefleming@gmail.com No. 9 Analia Wilkerson - R judgeanalia@gmail.com No. 10 George Barnstone - D no public contact information provided by this candidate Dan Spjut - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Suite County Judge No. 4 No. 11

8 8B houston Forward Times October 2014 Diane Bull - R judgedianebull@yahoo.com Rory Robert Olsen - R 1 E Greenway Plaza Ste 225 seanriley239@gmail.com roryolsen.com Jack Morman - R 1001 Preston, Rm. 924 (713) harriscountytx.gov No. 12 Robin Brown - R stephanie_spears@ccl.hctx.net No. 13 Jason Luong - D P.O. Box Houston, TX jasonluong.nationbuilder.com Don Smyth - R 2306 Albans Rd. Houston, TX ds2010@donsmythforjudge.com donsmythforjudge.com No. 14 David L. Singer - D 1001 Texas St Ste 1400 Houston, TX (713) Michael Fields - R judgefields@msn.com No. 15 Raul Rodriguez - D 3801 Barnett St. Houston, Texas (713) raulforjudge.nationbuilder.com Jean Spradling Hughes - R Judge, County Probate Court No. 1 Kim Bohannon Hoesl - D Backenberry Dr Friendswood, Texas kimforjudge.nationbuilder.com Loyd Wright - R 1303 Briarmead Dr. Houston, Texas (713) loydwright.vpweb.com Judge, County Probate Court No. 2 Josefina Rendon - D P.O. Box Houston, TX (713) judgejosefinarendon.com Mike Wood - R 201 Caroline, Ste. 680 Houston TX, (713) judgeprob@aol.com Judge, County Probate Court No. 3 Jerry Simoneaux - D 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1100 jerryforjudge.nationbuilder.com Judge, County Probate Court No. 4 James Horwitz - D 4109 Caroline Houston, Texas (713) votehorwitz.com Christine Riddle Butts - R 4201 Cypress Creek Parkway, Suite 550 Houston, Texas butts@buttsjudge.com buttsforjudge.com District Clerk Judith Snively - D (832) judithsnivelyfordistrictclerk.com Chris Daniel - R 1 E Greenway Plaza, Ste 225 (713) chrisdaniel.org County Clerk Ann Harris Bennett - D 440 Louisiana, suite 1200 (713) Stan Stanart - R 346 Champions Colony III Houston, TX (281) County Treasurer David Rosen - D campaign@voterosen.com voterosen.com Orlando Sanchez - R Po Box Houston TX (713) orlandosanchez.com County School Trustee, Position 5, At Large Debra Debby Kerner - D 4807 Omeara Drive Houston, Texas (713) debrakerner4education.blogspot.com Mike Wolfe - R P.O. Box Houston, TX (713) County School Trustee, Position 7, At Large Melissa Noriega - D no public contact information provided by this candidate Don Sumners - R donsumners@yahoo.com County Commissioner, Precinct 2 County Commissioner, Precinct 4 M.I. Badat - D P.O.Box: Houston, Texas (713) voteforbadat.com R. Jack Cagle - R P. O. Box 325 Houston, Texas (713) commissionerjackcagle.com Precinct 1, Place 2 David M. Patronella - D 1302 Preston Precinct 2, Place 2 George E. Risner - D P.O Box 6528 Pasadena, Texas judgerisner.com Leonila Olivares-Salazar - R PO BOX Houston, Texas leonilaforjudge.com Precinct 3, Place 2 Don Coffey - D 4009 Stoneybrook St. Baytown, TX (281) coffeyforjudge.com Precinct 4, Place 2 Laryssa Korduba - R 211 Florence Tomball, Texas laryssa@judgelaryssaforjp.com judgelaryssaforjp.com Precinct 5, Place 2 Jeff Williams - R P.O. Box Houston, TX MyJP52@JP.HCTX.net judgejeffwilliams.com Precinct 6, Place 2 Armando V. Rodriguez - D 1001 S Sgt Macario Garcia Dr. Houston, TX (713) Precinct 7, Place 2 Zinetta Burney - D 5300 Griggs Road Houston, Texas MyJP72@jp.hctx.net zinettaburney.com Precinct 8, Place 2 Louie Ditta - R Buccaneer Houston, Texas (281) louie_ditta@jp.hctx.net

9 houston Forward Times October B One of many Freedom Summer activities, where hundreds of civil rights activists gathered in June 1964 to train for voter registration of Blacks in Mississippi. Mobilizing Key Groups can change Politics of the Deep South By Freddie Allen NNPA Columnist As voters rights advocates and civil rights leaders commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer in Mississippi, a new study by the Center for American Progress finds that shifting demographics in the South can help to accelerate meaningful social and political change. The report titled, True South: Unleashing Democracy in the Black Belt 50 Years After Freedom Summer, defined the Black Belt, a region known for its rich soil and history of plantation slavery, as regions in the following: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. According to the report, between 2000 and 2010, the non-hispanic White population in the South grew at a rate of 4 percent, while the so-called minority population in the region experienced a 34 percent growth, the greatest out of any region in the country. Nearly 60 percent of Blacks live below the Mason-Dixon line and Blacks account for about 20 percent of the total population in the South. The report also noted that 40 percent of the Blacks that relocated to the South since 2000 were between the ages of 21 and 40 years old and researchers said this group will likely settle and start families, increasing the number of Blacks living in the region. The report continued: These trends could have a major effect on the region s politics because voters of color tend to be more progressive and vote overwhelmingly for progressive candidates. Changing demographics, frustration with right-wing extremists and the growing number of young voters will play a role in the growing progressive electorate pushing back on a long history of polarization in the Black Belt. Republican state lawmakers in the Black Belt, who may feel threatened by the growing diversity among potential voters, have enacted a number of laws that have a disproportionate impact on the quality of life of the poor, Blacks and other minorities. According to the report, nine states have passed laws requiring voters to bring photo identification to the polling booth in order to cast a traditional ballot and governors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, effectively denying health care to millions of their citizens, overwhelmingly the poor and people of color. The report continued: Eleven states have passed right-to-work laws, which discourage organizing by unions. They are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. During a panel discussion about the CAP report, Derrick Johnson, president of the Mississippi NAACP State Conference and the national co-chair of the Mississippi Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary, said that there s a deficit of morality in the South, because people are not seen as people they are seen as exploitable cheap labor. Johnson added that access to the polls free of voter suppression, access to quality education, access to health care and workers rights are the primary issues that civil rights activists must focus on and organize around so that the South can progress. Sheila Jackson Lee t Re c e l -E

10 10B Judge Jay Karahan No. 8 I want the accused to believe that he or she will receive a fair hearing by a judge who cares deeply about the integrity of the process; I want the crime victim to know that their voice will be heard; I want lawyers to know that I will read their papers and listen to their arguments with an open mind; I want the witness to know that their testimony is necessary and that the subpoena was issued in good faith; and I want jurors to believe that they are honored and important participants in our justice system. - Judge Jay Karahan Judge Karahan was born and raised in Tampa Florida. He was very active in high school music activities and student government, and worked daily in his father s un-air conditioned warehouse to earn money for college. He attended Florida State University and graduated with an honors degree in Music Theory and a certificate in vocal performance. During college he worked at two jobs to support himself, including one working in the kitchen of a sorority house where he befriended two young women who became slaying victims of the infamous Ted Bundy. This tragic incident was a turning point for Judge Karahan, and he determined to become a lawyer in order to prosecute the perpetrators of similar crimes. He became familiar with the law first as an intern for a year at the Hillsborough County State s Attorney s Office in Tampa, and then matriculated into South Texas College of Law in Houston in Judge Karahan attended law classes at night and interned during the day at the Harris County District Attorney s Office in the intake and grand jury divisions. He graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in From 1983 to 1987, Judge Karahan served as an Assistant District Attorney for Harris County, Texas. He was a member of the District Attorney s child abuse committee and specialized in child abuse prosecutions, a difficult but vital assignment. In 1987, the U.S. Attorney General appointed him an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. As a federal prosecutor he served in the Major Offender Division, Bank Fraud Task Force, and as a district coordinator for child exploitation investigations and prosecutions. As both a state and federal prosecutor Judge Karahan tried to jury verdict over 100 serious felony cases. In 1988, Judge Karahan was certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he has maintained that certification ever since. Judge Karahan left government practice in 1991 to serve as litigation and compliance counsel for a Fortune 100 company based in Houston. He moved to private practice in 1995 to open the white-collar defense firm of Jay Karahan & Associates, where he specialized in state and federal criminal trials and appeals, mediations, and corporate compliance and investigations. As a defender he tried an additional 30 serious felony jury trials. From 1987 to 1997, Judge Karahan taught criminal trial advocacy as an Adjunct Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law. He has served as Chair of the Administration of Justice Committee, and as Chair of the Criminal Law and Procedure Section, both of the Houston Bar Association. He has also served as vicepresident and director of the Harris County Criminal Lawyer s Association. Judge Karahan speaks on criminal justice issues and concerns at CLE seminars, at colleges and universities locally and abroad, at Houston area public and private schools and in the community, with a particular emphasis on domestic violence. Judge Karahan has also lectured and published articles on the use of expert witnesses concerning the reliability of eyewitness testimony in criminal cases, as well as law practice in the Harris County Criminal-Courts-at-Law. Judge Karahan also serves as visiting judge for moot court and mock trial competitions at South Texas College of Law and at the HISD High School for Law Enforcement. He spends additional time with youthful offenders, especially 1719 year old adult probationers who meet with Judge Karahan for mentoring and compliance evaluations. Judge Karahan also serves on the DWI Court Committee that advises the County s SOBER (Saving Ourselves by Education and Rehabilitation) Courts for DWI repeat offenders and Court 8 was one of five pilot courts in Harris County to introduce this successful program. The SOBER Court program was established in January 2008 by the Harris County Criminal Courts-at-Law and the Texas Legislature to focus on intervention and rehabilitation of DWI repeat offenders with alcohol and substance abuse problems. These sentencing practices in SOBER court reduce probationer recidivism (re-offending) and increase successful probations in our courts. Judge Karahan s sentencing practices are designed to motivate and empower offenders to return to integrity with the community and to live productive, law-abiding lives. Outside of the courtroom, Judge Karahan is a member of St. Martin s Episcopal Church where he serves as an Adult Christian Education teacher, a lay reader, and is a member of the choir. Judge Karahan is active in community theatre as a member of Shakespeare in the Shade Trees, and is a frequent singer of the National Anthem at regional events. houston Forward Times October 2014 Description of Public Offices

11 houston Forward Times October B Proposition 1 (2014) Texas Transportation Funding Amendment The Texas Transportation Funding Amendment, Proposition 1 is on the November 4, 2014 general election ballot in the state of Texas as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment. The measure would divert half of the general revenue derived from oil and gas taxes from the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), also known as the Rainy Day Fund, to the State Highway Fund for the purpose of providing transportation funding for repairs and maintenance of public roads. It s anticipated that this will result in approximately $1.2 billion per year going toward transportation funding instead of the Rainy Day Fund. If approved, the measure would take effect immediately, once the votes are certified, and would apply to transfers the comptroller made after September 1, Text of measure Ballot title The official ballot title will appear as follows: The constitutional amendment providing for the use and dedication of certain money transferred to the state highway fund to assist in the completion of transportation construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects, not to include toll roads. Ballot language The text of the measure will appear on the ballot as follows: State Representative Sylvester Turner Houston s Future Rides on Transportation By State Representative Sylvester Turner Texans who want better, safer roads with current fiscal year. That is plenty of savings. less traffic congestion and good paying jobs We need to take care of our needs now. must support Proposition 1 on the Nov. 4 election ballot. tion Institute say our state needs to spend $5 The experts at the Texas A&M Transporta- Ballot issues can sometimes be complicated as competing sides bombard voters with simply to keep our traffic congestion on current billion a year more on highway construction conflicting spin. Fortunately, that is not the case levels. Prop 1 will generate about $1.7 billion with Proposition 1. This is easy vote for a common sense idea. will move us in the right direction. The Texas a year. We have a long way to go, but Prop 1 A modern society requires solid foundations. Those foundations hinge on education, pay for new highways and road maintenance. Legislature will have to find additional ways to water, health care, a fair justice system and But right now, we need everyone to vote for transportation. We could not function without Prop 1 to help convince Texas legislators that any of those core underpinnings. Proposition Texans support highway construction and road 1 is all about our transportation system, which maintenance. helps move people and commerce. Road construction is very expensive and The State of Texas developed a transportation and highway system which, for decades, change can cost more than $300 million; Hous- takes years of planning. A single freeway inter- enjoyed the envy of the nation. We supported ton s Grand Parkway costs $3.8 billion and the our highway system with modest tax increases Highway 290 expansion will cost more than on gasoline and motor fuels. We have gone 23 $2.4 billion. years without raising the gas tax, which remains Every $100 million in construction will the single largest funding source for highway cost another $300 million to maintain over the construction and maintenance. 40-year life span of that roadway. And Texas, To take care of our transportation needs, as a whole, has approximately 200,000 lane we have built highways and maintained older miles of roadway that must be maintained. roads with borrowed money. Lots of it. We It s important that voters not leave the voting booth until after voting YES on Proposition have borrowed nearly $20 billion over the past decade and cannot borrow any more. 1. You will find it near the bottom of the ballot If Proposition 1 fails, we essentially run out after you vote for candidates. of money to build new highways in two years. If Prop 1 fails, needed highway construction projects would end up on the backburner. That is simply unacceptable. Our state and our economy are growing. Traffic congestion will take you even longer That s good. Growth will create opportunities to get where you want to go. And construction for our kids and grandkids. Our population jobs would be lost. grows by at least 1,000 people each and every We have nearly 52,000 jobs directly tied day. More people means more traffic. More to highway construction this year and another traffic congestion makes it harder to get from 98,000 indirect jobs, such as those involving Point A to Point B not only for us but for those materials used in building highways. H.E.B and Wal-Mart trucks and vehicles from Texas will lose nearly 68,000 highway other large companies. It costs us more to buy construction-related jobs when we run out of goods when they sit in traffic. A recent TRIP borrowed money within the next two years. If study indicated the average Houston motorist spends 52 hours stuck in traffic every year, proximately 39,000 of those jobs. approved by voters, Prop 1 would restore ap- costing nearly $1,100 in lost time and fuel. Coming up with a total solution for our Proposition 1 will not raise your taxes. It traffic problems will take more time and discussion. For now, Prop 1 is an easy choice for won t raise fees. The money will come from oil and gas production taxes. Education already voters. It will mean safer, better roads and keep gets 25 percent of that oil and gas tax. Prop 1 construction jobs going all without raising will not change that education allocation. Currently, the other 75 percent of the oil and gas Remember: Your job is not finished until taxes or fees. tax revenue flows into the state s Rainy Day you reach the lower portion of the ballot and Fund. Prop 1 would split that evenly between vote for Prop 1. the Rainy Day Fund and the Highway Fund. We will have approximately $8.4 billion sitting in the Rainy Day Fund at the end of the Vote YES 3Creates More Jobs 3NO New Taxes 3Reduces Congestion 3NO New Debt 3Improves Safety 3NO Toll Roads Endorsed by: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett State Representative Jessica Farrar Mayor Annise Parker, City of Houston State Representative Cecil Bell, Jr. State Representative Rick Miller State Senator John Whitmire State Representative Ron Reynolds State Senator Rodney Ellis State Representative Ed Thompson State Senator Sylvia Garcia State Representative Phil Stephenson State Senator Dan Patrick State Representative Patricia Harless State Senator Larry Taylor State Representative Wayne Smith State Senator Glenn Hegar State Representative John Davis State Senator Joan Huffman State Representative Bill Callegari State Representative Sylvester Turner State Representative Gene Wu State Representative Garnet Coleman State Representative Dwayne Bohac State Representative Carol Alvarado (listing at time of printing) Political ad paid for by Texas Infrastructure Now PAC.

12 12B houston Forward Times October 2014