The Texas State Legislature FINALLY did something right about political signs! Here is the link for the new law that just became effective Sept 1, 2005. You will note that home owner's associations may NOT enforce or adopt restrictive covenants that prohibit political signs within 90 days of an election. The complete history of the Act (HB873) is included and you will note that it was signed into law by the Governor June 18, 2005. Let your neighbors, club members and fellow Democrats know about this.

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Voter Bill of Rights

Voting is the most direct way for you to affect your government -- don't let anyone deprive you of this precious right! Read through the list below and be aware of your rights before you go to the polls, and use the information below if you encounter any harassment or intimidation.

• You are entitled to vote without being harassed or intimidated by anyone.
• Bring personal identification with you to the polls (driver's license, government ID, bank statement or utility bill).
• If you forget your ID, you can still vote. (In some states, all you need to do is sign an affidavit. In others, you can vote by provisional ballot.) Better yet-DON'T FORGET YOUR ID!
• If records show you have moved, you can vote by signing an address confirmation.
• If you are in line at the polling place before the polls close, you can vote.
• You have the right to receive a demonstration of voting equipment before voting.
• If you are disabled or are over the age of 65, you have the right to an accessible polling place and help in voting.

If anyone challenges your right to vote:

• Ask for the name of the person who is denying you the right to vote and write it down.
• Ask to talk to a supervisor and lodge a complaint or call the Harris County Election's Office at: 713-368-POLL (7055)
• Call the Harris County Democratic Party at 713-802-0085 and report your complaint.

Organizational leaders, precinct chairs, activists, and those of us that support democracy: Make a copy of this; make many copies! Forward it to friends. Forward it to other leaders! Make sure this document gets out so that we make sure that voters know their rights.

"Voting By-Mail and Protecting Your Vote: For Senior Voters and Special Needs", downloadable PDF publication by Beverly B. Kaufman's Office

IMPORTANT! You cannot wear candidate gear into the polls! So wear buttons or caps--items that can be removed when you go to the polls. Or plan to wear a jacket over your t-shirt

You cannot have candidate signs within 100 ft of entrance of polling locations. So if you have candidate bumper stickers on your car, you cannot park close to the polls.

Voters, when they visit the polls to cast their vote, will need:

• First time voters who registered by mail and did not include identification will need another government issued form of identification other than their voter registration certificate such as their driver's license, naturalization papers, birth certificate, etc.
• If you have voted before, you may vote with only voter registration certificate or another form of identification such as a Driver's license, passport or utility bill.

To expedite the voting process, we are encouraging all voters to bring with them their voters registration card and another form of identification. Your driver's license or state issued identification card will work best. - Beverly B. Kaufman

POLITICAL NET PRESS

3145 Alma St. Palo Alto, CA  94306 Phone: (650) 494-3962 e-mail: info@candidateshandbook.com web: www.candidateshandbook.com

How to Organize a Precinct Walk You've got 66,000 residents, 44,000 are registered voters. How do you know which precincts to walk and which doors to knock? You need a plan. Here's one: Walk 8 hours every single day for 18 months. Knock on every door and meet every resident. Do that, and you'll meet 22,000 people who never vote! Here's a better plan. Get How to Organize a Precinct Walk from Political Net Press. This step-by-step guide is the planning tool you need to get the most votes out of your volunteers and your walking time. This guide tells you how to: Locate the voters you want to meet Calculate how many homes you can reach with the time and volunteers available Decide where to walk first Prepare Walking Kits for your volunteers containing: precinct maps walk lists tracking codes scripts Determine what time of day to walk which neighborhoods You also get: Instructions and sample scripts for candidates and volunteers Tips on handling volunteers Precinct walk Checklist Preview the Guide at www.candidateshandbook.com.   Or contact Carl Yorke at info@candidateshandbook.com, 650-494-3962.   Volume discounts are available.     Political Net Press publishes The Candidate's Handbook for Winning State and Local Elections, and other tools for political campaigns.

TIPS, TRICKS, AND CAMPAIGN FUNDAMENTALS

'If you follow the precepts in this book and still your candidate loses, probably your opponent read it more carefully.'
- Don Thackery, UPI

 

Let's say you have a great message that voters need to hear. Without a plan to get it out and an organization to carry your message, how will anyone know they should vote for you?

 

The Candidate's Handbook for Winning State and Local Elections gives time-tested ways and winning methods to run a successful political campaign.

 The Candidate's Handbook, written and published in 1981 by political consultant Harvey Yorke, has been republished by son, Carl Yorke, who added up-to-date information about using e-mail and the Internet in a campaign. 

 

Harvey Yorke's 35 years of experience in PR and politics included stints as Governor Ronald Reagan's Director of Public Information, and as a consultant to S.I. Hayakawa's successful campaign for the U.S. Senate. He also ran his own winning campaign for a city council seat in Novato, California (Marin County).

 

Endorsements of the original edition were glowing. March Fong Eu, former California Secretary of State, said, "...a must read for anyone seeking election to city, county or special district offices. It is as valuable for campaign managers and volunteers as for candidates."

 

Of the most recent edition, Senator Dianne Feinstein said, "The Candidate's Handbook is a valuable resource for anyone running for elective office. It is a straightforward book that provides the basics about running for office. Of course, every election takes on a life of it's own, but you have to get the basics right."

 

Carl Yorke felt it was important to continue the tradition of this book. "My father understood what it took to win, and I have a desire to help others win, too. That's why I updated the book with information that helps candidates now, in the Internet age. When you think of the slim number of votes that determine the outcome of so many elections, you realize that candidates need as many ideas as they can get. This book has it all, and it's a winning formula for any election."

 

Two chapters of the California Libertarian Party have recently adopted the campaign manual as their standard text for running campaigns in the next election cycle.

 

In praising The Candidate's Handbook, James Rushing, Chairman of the Orange County (CA) Libertarian Party, said, "...it is complete, comprehensive and easy to use - because of the Checklists are provided in digital form so that copies can be modified, printed and distributed to volunteers for their use in the specific duties assigned to them."

 

"Because the Orange County candidates have adopted The Candidate's Handbook, we know we can proceed with our campaigns rather than spend endless hours developing a plan from scratch. The candidates of OC now feel they can plan ahead and work together."

 

Allen Hacker, Chairman of the Santa Clara County (CA) Libertarian Party, also took advantage of the volume discounts offered by Poltical Net Press.

 

The Candidate's Handbook has made it's way into the classroom at Kansas State University, where it is being used as a text in political science classes.

 

Preview the book at www.candidateshandbook.com. The Web site takes orders, or contact Carl Yorke at info@candidateshandbook.com, or call 650-494-3962.

 

Volume, library and academic discounts are available.

 

IMPORTANT! There is so much good grassroot's information here that we are dedicating a whole page to the event.

Click here to go to KAD's DemocracyFest page.