Expect a Long Night…
March 4th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
There is a debate brewing between Democratic Party officials and the Secretary of State over when results will be available. The Texas Secretary of State’s elections’ division sent a memo around to polling stations, reminding them to turn in their primary results immediately after the polls close — and before the caucus begins (see No. 8 in the memo). Some County Democratic Party officials would rather the workers worry first about getting the caucus started, and turn in the primary and caucus results all together later tonight.
As Ashley Burton at the secretary of state’s office explains it: “Each precinct has a separate list of those who voted at that precinct. The election judges don’t have count the results, just deliver it to the central counting location. They do not have to stay while those votes are counted. Once they deliver the results, they can return to their precinct.”
State officials clearly want primary results as soon as possible for television networks and a national audience. The state party wants an organized caucus so potential Democratic voters aren’t put off and return in November. The secretary of state has no enforcement power. The election judges are appointed by the state party so one does not have to wonder to whom they will listen.
If precinct workers don’t turn in their results until after the caucus, then it could be 10 p.m. or after until voting totals roll in from Tarrant County and other contested areas.
In other words, it could be a late night.
