Caucus chaos, Part 2
From Kenya Whitaker of Southeast Arlington, who tried to caucus last night at Webb Community Center:
I got there @ 7 p.m. People and cars were every where. There was no type of organization to anything that was going on. I just saw thousands of people standing around wondering what to do.
I had to stand across the street from the Community Center in a muddy field and listen to people holler different instructions...I finally left at 9 o'clock ( my kids had to take the TAKS today) and my friend said the last person voted at 9:15.
Never really understood what people were suppose to do, and like me a lot of people left...There were tow trucks, because cars were stuck in the mud. It was a mess!
I got there @ 7 p.m. People and cars were every where. There was no type of organization to anything that was going on. I just saw thousands of people standing around wondering what to do.
I had to stand across the street from the Community Center in a muddy field and listen to people holler different instructions...I finally left at 9 o'clock ( my kids had to take the TAKS today) and my friend said the last person voted at 9:15.
Never really understood what people were suppose to do, and like me a lot of people left...There were tow trucks, because cars were stuck in the mud. It was a mess!
"I don't belong to an organized party, I'm a Democrat." Will Rogers
I caucused last night for the first time and yes, it was crowded and understaffed and there wasn't much that seemed organized, but what people have to realize is that last time at the same place, 3 people caucused verses the 300+ last night. So while things should have been better organized, how could they possibly prepare for such a deluge of caucus goers? I was just excited there were so many people who cared and were part of the process. Plus after years of candidates ignoring Texas, we finally had a say so maybe next time it won't be such a disaster.
Posted by: Christine C. | March 05, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I caucused last night at the White Settlement Rec center. We were sent to a room upstairs. You had to climb stairs no other access available. Do they not have to be handicap accessible?
Posted by: Rosa | March 05, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I was a Captain for Clinton team. Our Caucus at precinct 1170 in East Fort Worth was a scam. Our Precinct Judge did not give anyone (either team) the list of voters therefore we could not check to see who was eligible to vote at the caucus and who was not. She would not let anyone look at list. We could not elect a permanent Chair or Sect until she said so, not voters were disqualified even though there were people there who said they signed in but never voted in the Primary. The incoming people were never turned away, it was a complete chaotic, unlawful diaster!! I am really ashamed to be a part of the Democratic Party. Where are the leaders of the Party and what have they been doing? People ask how were "they" to know this was coming? HELLO!!! Has anyone been paying attention to the news??!! EVERYONE knew this was coming, what in the HEL* are you talking about??! We've been hearing for the past 6 months, there are record turn outs in voting. Shame on you Democratic Party Leaders -- State & County!!
Posted by: Suzette | March 05, 2008 at 07:59 PM
suzette - sounds like the judge was wrong. completely and utterly wrong. can you find out if your precinct packet was turned in to the county party yet? rest assured, each delegation will be checked against the list of voters who voted. if anyone illegally signed in (for example, those who didn't vote at all) the math will be recalculated and that person disqualified. plus, those people will not be eligible to caucus at the senate district conventions. in other words, it's going to be double checked.
so sorry you had a bad experience. thank you for volunteering to be a precinct captain for your precinct! it's people like you who are learning about this process for the first time that make a difference. i hope this is not your last time at a caucus. learn the rules and volunteer to help out next time. come to a county training session so you know how to stop violations that occur. i highly encourage you to become the change you seek in your local party.
Posted by: annatopia | March 05, 2008 at 09:26 PM
2 GREAT CANDIDATES!! How can the Democrats NOT be excited this year? The caucus was crazy...but I think precint #2219 did a good job of having both an Obama and Clinton supporter doing the check in process. Each person had to present a Democratic 'stamped' voter registration form or yellow voter receipt form as their proof of eligibility. Hated that we didn't have enough official signing forms....but improvisation (notebook paper? YIKES!) is the sign of an active, productive mind! There was NO WAY they could turn down any of these folks that took time out of thier busy day lives to place their vote. I truly felt a part of the process....and can't wait to see either one of the fine democrat options as our next president!
Posted by: DemsDaBest | March 05, 2008 at 10:00 PM
What ever happen to popular vote? All elections should be determined by popular vote, including the Presidential election. We don't have communications problems like in the old days. Go back to the only way that should count. POPULAR VOTE ONLY. BA
Posted by: Bill A. | March 07, 2008 at 11:51 AM