Texas Secessionists Trying to Use Obscure Procedure to Get their Idea on Republican Primary Ballot

Texas does not have the statewide initiative. But it does have an obscure procedure in its election code for a group to petition for a statewide measure in a party primary. The procedure has existed since 1907, but apparently has never been used.

The Texas Nationalist Movement hopes to use the procedure, and to put a question on the March 2016 Texas Republican primary ballot asking if the party should endorse independence for Texas. See this story. The law requires a petition signed by 10% of the last primary turnout. The Texas Republican primary turnout was so low that only 66,894 signatures are needed, by December 2015. The group started circulating in August and hopes to succeed. The group’s web page is thetnm.org.

Party organizations can also put questions on a party primary ballot without the need for a petition, and Texas Republicans do that fairly often. The leadership of the Republican Party does not support the idea of secession for Texas and will probably try to prevent the question from appearing on the party’s primary ballot if it can. Thanks to Jim Goodluck for the link and to Jim Riley for explaining the Texas law, which is in sections 172.087 and 172.088.

Jill Stein Campaign Web Page Shows Progress Toward Qualifying for Primary Season Matching Funds

Jill Stein, the only candidate for the Green Party nomination who is making a strong push to qualify for primary season matching funds, has reached the threshold in California, Washington, Massachusetts, and New York. She is close to qualifying in Florida, Illinois, and Texas. See her page. She can qualify if she reached the goal in at least 20 states. She did it in 2012. Thanks to Thomas MacMillan for the link.