Casar ordered to pay Pressley legal costs (which means Pressley wins her election integrity case)

UPDATE: (4:14 p.m.) A separate court document indicates the amount of the legal costs Casar must pay may be a significantly lower amount than previously reported. We will update this post when the actual amount is determined.

From Dr. Laura Pressley's new election integrity advocacy group True Texas Elections:

AUSTIN — In the Texas Supreme Court, costs are awarded to the prevailing party and Austin City Council member Greg Casar has been ordered by the highest Court in Texas to pay Dr. Laura Pressley ... [for] costs incurred in her landmark Supreme Court election integrity case.  

Ask too many election integrity questions, get fined $100,000 ...

... but that may be changing soon, thanks to the hard work of Dr. Laura Pressley and a recent ruling by the Texas Supreme Court.

As a cringe-worthy side note, Pressley's 2014 Austin City Council election opponent, Gregorio Casar, is claiming victory because the state Supreme Court ruled Pressley's election contest is moot because Casar has now entered his second term in office. However (a BIG however) the Court seems to have given a green light to future legal questions regarding ballot integrity.

This is welcome news for anyone who has ever wondered if all votes are counted or if voting machines can be trusted, but has been too intimidated by hefty fines and years in court (as Dr. Pressley has endured).

As a bonus: a related judgment orders Casar to pay back Pressley's supreme court costs, though the amount has not yet been determined.

Read more about this development in a press release from Dr. Pressley: 

Dismal results and dismal turnout for Runoff

Roughly 1,300 votes separated Frank Ward from Paige Ellis in Austin City Council District 8. Ellis is now declared the winner of Ellen Troxclair's council seat -- the last conservative outpost on the Austin City Council dais.

The more conservative of two Runoff candidates for Austin Community College District 8, Sarah Mills, was also bested by a decidedly liberal opponent.

Meanwhile in San Marcos, two conservatives there, Shane Scott and Rick Henderson, appear to have failed in their bids for City Council.

We'll have more analysis in the days ahead.

It's the 2018 Runoff: do you get to vote?

The votes in Travis County have been finally canvassed. And though there were several close calls on election night 2018, there emerged only five runoffs across Travis County. However, none of the races are county-wide, which means that not everyone living in the Austin area will have a race to decide on.

Early voting begins Thursday, Nov. 29, and ends Friday, Dec. 7. Runoff election day is Tuesday, Dec. 11. More information including voting sites, sample ballots, and even wait times may be found here.

Before you drive all the way to one of the voting centers to cast a ballot, check below to see if there's a runoff race in your precinct. If you don't know your precinct number, check your voter registration card (see image below for an example) or visit www.votetravis.com.

Bright spots amid a dark evening for Austin conservatives

While it was a rainy day in Mudville for the conservative remnant in the Austin area, there were more than a few silver linings that deserve mention as part of the overall picture of what happened during the 2018 general election.

* Frank Ward, the only Republican running to succeed the only Republican on the Austin City Council Ellen Troxclair, is headed to a runoff! The date is Dec. 11. 

* Chip Roy won election to Congressional District 21 to succeed U.S Rep. Lamar Smith. Along with him, the three incumbent Republican members of Congress also won reelection (Michael McCaul, Bill Flores and Roger Williams).

Plot ACCelerates in Pflugerville annexation election

While the ACC Tax Vote No! PAC team asked some interesting questions in a recent video, and pointed out that a lion's share of donations come from outside Pflugerville (or even the Austin area) the connections between the Austin Community College Board of Trustees, a consulting firm, and a PAC designed to support the vote yes campaign are becoming clearer.

Click to enlarge -- this might still give the reader a headache, though!

To summarize ...

The late-voter's guide to Travis County elections

If you missed early voting and are only just now looking at your sample ballot choices, don't worry: we're here to help!

Below are our recommendations -- mostly Republicans, as is par for our course, but with some Libertarian favorites and some local independents worthy of a vote. A race with no endorsement is not necessarily a slight against any candidate but that we either don't have enough information or wish to leave it up to the voter. (Leaving uncertain races blank is generally a wise choice.)

Possible dark money connections subject of new ACC annexation exposé video

The most recent video from the campaign opposing the proposed annexation of Pflugerville ISD into the Austin Community College district asks some pointed questions as they dig deeper into campaign filings.

According to their analysis of donations to "Pflugerville PFriends 4 ACC," the video suggests there may be undisclosed "dark money" via an entity called "ACC Works." Watch the video to see how deep this rabbit hole goes. And, as always, let us know what you think (or what you uncover) in the comments below.

Dukes retaliates with lawsuits on anniversary of charges being dropped

A lawyer using the legal system to punish her enemies is one of those dog-bites-man stories.

In other words, it's par for the course for outgoing Rep. Dawnna Dukes to drop some paperwork to attack those who blew the whistle on questionable activities in her state office.

But what makes this a man-bites-dog story is whom she is suing -- and on the one-year anniversary of the dismissal of her charges, at that. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Dukes is suing:

• Statesman reporter Sean Walsh. 
• Travis County DA Margaret Moore. 
• Former Travis County Rosemary Lehmberg.
• An un-named state auditor's office employee.
• Three former legislative staffers.
• and for $7.8 million in personal and business losses, "mental anguish," etc. 

(Hopefully she won't sue the Tracker, now!)

Read more about the suit here:
https://www.statesman.com/news/20181024/rep-dawnna-dukes-sues-prosecutor-statesman-3-former-aides

Here's a summary of "The Dukes Chronicles" so far:

Pflugerville ACC supporters latest to join the outside money club

KXAN this week unveiled a new interactive tool to chart where the money comes from in local elections. To no one's surprise, a good share of East Austin candidate money comes from our more affluent West Austinites.

Read more:
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/despite-10-1-austin-city-council-one-area-funds-most-campaigns/1541568841

While this report focused on the 10 districts in Austin (10-1 is still a good idea) our neighbors in Pflugerville are facing an influx of outside cash of their own.

According to the Tracker's quick analysis of the campaign finance filing for the S-PAC "Pflugerville Pfriends for  ACC" shows that the majority of the contributors are not from Pflugerville. The money comes from San Antonio, San Marcos, and (of course) Austin.

By contrast, the opposition to the annexation, Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation, are clearly a homegrown operation according to our search, scratching together enough for an impressive media campaign (even a billboard on a busy highway) and sending volunteers to poll sites on a regular basis.

Pflugerville ACC opponents up the ante with high-profile campaign

Plenty was said in our last post about why a proposed Austin Community College District expansion may not be a good deal for the taxpayers. Getting the word out on these kinds of local bond proposals is usually a difficult task with limited funds, few volunteers, no public relations savvy, and ...

Wait, is that a BILLBOARD we see off FM 1825?

Well, then ... things are looking good for the opposition.

For those curious, the billboard is located along FM 1825 facing "the Pfield" just across from Pflugerville High School. Go take a selfie!

How to stop Beto from texting you

Funny, but this may not help stop the texts!

If you received an unsolicited text from Congressman Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke, it's not too late to take action to stop future political texts (from any candidate) from constantly buzzing your phone.

Here are seven helpful tips for those annoyed by campaign calls and texts to consider: 

1. If you receive an unwelcome political call, kindly say "No, thank you, I appreciate your time, and please remove me from your list," then hang up. Chances are this is a volunteer calling and they won't push very hard. And if they're paid employees, they're likely temporary workers who aren't earning much for their time. If you respond angrily then you run the risk of being listed as against -- information which can be shared and even sold to other campaigns and companies which collect data. 

2. If you receive an unwelcome text from a campaign, do not reply! The campaigns already have records of who voted (via voter rolls from the primaries) but what they're hoping to do is identify new and "likely" voters from any number of data sources. If you respond, for or against the cause or candidate, you're now on a list. Campaigns realize that a growing number of cell phone users prefer text messaging over voice calls -- particularly younger voters -- and they are building texting databases. 

3. If you receive an unwelcome email, immediately look for the "Unsubscribe" link -- usually at the bottom of the message. They or their email blasting service are required by law in most cases to remove your email address. And be sure to keep your personal email off of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and websites (do a web search for your own name and contact info and see what pops up). Consider setting up a special email account to check at your own convenience for sign ups, political news, and other updates so it doesn't disrupt your business or day-to-day living.

4. Jealously guard your cell phone number! Check to see that your phone number is not listed on social media. If signing in at a political event, rally, or convention leave it blank or use an office or a landline number that can easily roll to voicemail. This applies to voter registration cards as they fall under open records laws and can easily be obtained by campaigns. Candidates, PACs, and parties will often share your info with one another, and once they have your contact information then it tends to spread. 

5. Sign up on the Do Not Call registry. Even though campaigns and political parties have more legal leeway on this, you can keep private companies which gather personal data from reaching you. 

6. Beware of "push polls." It's fine to participate in polls conducted by recognized polling companies, but if it comes in a generic format asking for your stance on various issues it's best to just hang up. There's a strong chance that a generic poll is designed to either identify your number as a likely voter or to "push" a candidate or campaign. 

7. Consider using a call screening method to stop unwanted calls. You can sign up for NoMoRobo.com to stop calls on VOIP lines or TrueCaller.com to screen calls to cellular or landline phones. Google Voice can serve as your own personal receptionist!  You may also sign up for caller ID services and anonymous call rejection with your phone provider, if available, often at a small additional fee.

Do you have a strategy of your own to share? Leave it in the comments below!

This fall's sample ballot is here

What you see is what you get with a sample ballot. If you're wondering what your ballot will look like on Nov. 6 (or during early voting from Oct. 22 through Nov. 2, or via mail-in starting Monday, Oct. 15) the Travis County Elections Division has released the general, city and municipal, and special district sample ballots. Click here to view them.

Google may be cracking down on free speech, but that's free enterprise

God bless the Internet. The creation of American free enterprise and unchained innovation, based on already decades-old military technology, the World Wide Web is  a prime example of how freedom can not only transform the world but improve lives.

Despite all the fake news, pornography, and dark web activity we've come to fear, the advantages of interconnectedness are too numerous to mention here.

We'll stop the ode and revert, instead, to a jeremiad of sorts regarding the unintended consequences of its success.

'Gosnell' advance screening censored by hotel; backup events on Saturday, Monday

An advance showing of a movie depicting the trial of Kermit Gosnell -- the abortion doctor accused of murdering a young mother and hundreds of newborns -- was apparently too much truth for Planned Parenthood to take.

According to an email communique from the producers of the upcoming movie "Gosnell," the showing designed to coincide with Saturday's Planned Parenthood gala in Austin was canceled by the host hotel -- even though former Planned Parenthood national president Cecile Richards was invited to attend the screening.

Planned Parenthood and 'Gosnell' pre-screening to clash at Austin hotel (UPDATE: screening canceled)

UPDATE: the screening has been canceled by the hotel. Read more.

As posh Planned Parenthood patrons prepare to gather in downtown Austin for a gala, just down the hallway an upcoming feature film surrounding the grotesque murders perpetrated by notorious abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell is scheduled for an advanced screening.

Coincidence? That would be tremendously ironic, but the timing is quite intentional. Texas Alliance for Life booked the same hotel with a mind to "shine a light in the darkness as we host this event at the same time and location Planned Parenthood ..."

Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards is the keynote for the Saturday, Sept. 29, gala for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, at the Hyatt Regency (208 Barton Springs Road, Austin). The screening is set to begin at 6 p.m. in a nearby suite.

Pickups, Punk rock, and politics (or why Beto doesn't stand a chance)

What do these two images have in common? Almost everything.

Texas political pop quiz time: Who are we talking about, here?

• This young(ish) rising star won the Democrat primary for U.S. Senate and quickly drew national attention for his persona, appeal to the grassroots, and a media biased to the left.
• He completed a successful tour of small town stump speeches to rally Democrats and swing voters covering 60,000 miles of Texas heartland.
• He boasted about refusing PAC money while focusing on small donors.
• His David vs. Goliath bid against the Senator Texas liberals fear the most has made him the hope of a state Democratic Party with few other hopes of winning a race at the top of the ballot.

If you guessed Democrat Congressman Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke ...

Paper trail voting technology brought to you by Travis County Republicans

As a major victory for advocates of ballot integrity, the Travis County Commissioners Court this week approved a new paper ballot backup hybrid voting system that combines electronic tabulations with a voter verified paper ballot.

According to the Austin American Statesman, the county's elections chief gave credit to the voters in general for paving the way for this innovation in voting technology.

“Our voters have been asking for it for a long time, and it was not available on the marketplace,” [Travis County Clerk Dana] DeBeauvoir, the county’s chief election official, said in an interview. “I tried to build it myself. We got a long way down the line, and ... we caused, we influenced the marketplace to come back and do this.”

For background read the Statesman article here: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/travis-county-purchase-million-paper-trail-voting-system

Who might "the voters" DeBeauvoir referred to be, exactly?

Austin audit headed to ballot; fight to remove tricky language just beginning

Misleading language may potentially doom a now-approved petition to place an audit of the City of Austin on the November ballot.

The coalition supporting the audit ballot item, Citizens for an Accountable Austin, is taking emergency legal action to clarify the language (see legal petition via the Texas Monitor at https://texasmonitor.org/attorney-citys-ballot-language-on-independent-austin-audit-political-prejudiced).

According to Matt Mackowiak, county Republican chairman who stayed up to the wee hours to testify, the victory was nothing short of heroic, but the battle continues in making certain that voters are aware of what, exactly, they will be voting on.

Cedar Park Council: intent of new rule isn't to prohibit speech, but ...

Interesting, if not troublesome, tid-bit in the editorial page of Thursday's Hill Country News:

With no fanfare and limited discussion, the council passed a set of rules to govern itself. Among those is a paragraph that states: 

“Members of the City Council shall confine their discussions concerning a motion or a question to the merits of a motion made and seconded or to a question already presented to them. Councilmembers shall show respect and courtesy to, and refrain from making disparaging comments about, fellow Councilmembers, the public, and City staff in the conduct of a City Council meeting, outside of Council meetings, in social settings, and on social media.” 

Council Member Heather Jefts told us [the editorial board] that the verbiage had been discussed for some time and the intent wasn’t to prohibit speech, but to ensure the council members conduct themselves “in a manner befitting the gravity of (their) positions.”

Read more: http://hillcountrynews.com/stories/dissent-is-essential-to-our-democracy,77815

Jefts happens to be one of the liberal candidates on the Cedar Park City Council, having taken out conservative John Lux in May 2017.

Several dictionaries we consulted seem to agree that "disparaging" means "expressing the opinion that something is of little worth; derogatory." We'll see what comes of this.