Harris County (Houston Texas) Early Vote Numbers Amaze

[thevoiceofreason]

Through Saturday, February 23, Harris County continues on its blistering pace in early voting totals.

As a point of reference, in 2004, Harris County had about 35,000 early votes -- over all 11 days and counting both parties.

So far, after 5 days of early voting in the 2008 early voting cycle, the DEMOCRATS ALONE in Harris County have cast 56,623 votes. This is unbelievable. The voting in the primarily african american locations is off the charts (600-1200% of "normal" levels). The second highest level of democratic voting increase (in percentage) is in the deep red areas -- Tomball, Kingwood, etc. These areas are up 400-1000%. The most modest increases are in the hispanic and "blended" areas. They are up 25% to 300%.

Folks, there is a movement in Houston and Harris County. It strikes me that few are waiting to be swayed by what happens between now and the election -- minds appear to have been made. I was very encouraged at church today as folks approached my wife and me (both known Barack workers) and confided that they have switched allegience from Hillary to Barack. (We go to a very progressive church -- it is UCC, like Barack's). Start popping the popcorn now everyone. Texas is turning, well, maybe purple!

You can see the numbers yourself at www.harrisvotes.org

[Lisa0825]

1. woohoo!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Please, please, please turn Texas blue again!!! It was a Democratic state when I moved here, and while I was just a child then, it was a cruel bait 'n switch!

[thevoiceofreason]

2. How ya feeling, darlin?

(for those out of staters, that is a term of respect and endearment down here).

[Lisa0825]

9. I'm survivin'

Fever is down, but my head still feels like an over-filled basketball! :puffpiece:

I am setting the alarm to go to work tomorrow, so we'll see how I feel when I wake up. If I make it the whole day, I will go see Michelle at 4pm, but it really all depends on how I feel by then.

*fingers crossed*

Here's to Nyquil! :beer:

[thevoiceofreason]

13. Good luck

[LibertyorDeath]

31. Off topic but just had to say

What a Great Picture !

[ananda]

3. I'll never understand why..

.. Texas ever went red in the first place, unless..

.. it's all those ignorant racists, baptists, and
evangelicals.. perhaps the great gasp of the rural
counties infiltrating the cities like smog and
disease.

[stillcool]

4. I just love...

hearing about all these people voting, in state after state. Amazing.

[Yael]

7. And election board after election board "stunned" and "running out of ballots"

:rofl:

[thevoiceofreason]

27. Amazingly, the Harris County party has done a great job.

No problems yet. I think they are on top of election day. That night's caucuses, however, are a whole new animal.

[stillcool]

44. and in state after state...

they're all republicans!...and of course, those states don't matter. I wonder if there will be a new 'firewall'?

[TexasObserver]

5. It's the Texas Obama Tsunami coming.

[NightWatcher]

10. what are the latest poll numbers from ...deep in the heart of texas?

I am so looking forward to March 4th

[TexasObserver]

15. Depends on who you ask. If you're asking me, Obama is up by 10 points or more.

[Yael]

6. Check this out

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4749609

The Harris and Collin numbers are mind boggling!

:hi:

[rainbow4321]

26. Bet you we see historic turnout numbers on March 4th

Texas Dems should be proud...we've ALWAYS been down here but by the time our primary dates rolls around it's always been a done deal on who has won the primary.
This is our turn to shine and it shows we are not going to let it go unnoticed or take it for granted!

I hope the Dem voter enthusiasm lasts and at some point, now or in the near future, we become a SWING STATE and Dem presidential candidates put us on their list of rally stops leading up to November. No more watching with envy as current "swing states" get all the attention, no more only watching **their** rallies on TV!
This dead heat race is what was needed to wake the sleeping giant! The one thing that will keep it going is that we are NOT forgotten about come the morning of March 5th!!!!!!!! Take note of that, Dem candidates!

[workinforalivin]

8. By UCC, do you mean Universal Unitarian?

If not, what denomination is it? On edit, I'm assuming it's United Church of Christ.

Oh well.

BTW - Progressive Church for many of us is an oxymoron.

Believing in myths (long white haired guy floating off in the heavens and setting bushes on fire, etc.) is hardly progressive.

But, I will defend your right to believe them, if you wish. Just don't expect me to support your wanting these myths to impact either education or government policies.

[thevoiceofreason]

11. United Church of Christ

Formed in 1957, blending Congregationalists (New England types), the German-based E&R (Evenagelical & Reformed), and a couple of others I never can remember -- my understanding is the E&R were very liberal Lutherans. Our denomination is one of the few open and affirming denominations in the country -- you are welcome, no matter what your race, creed or sexual oriantation. Hell man, our church is in Houston Texas (we are the biggest UCC church here), and we are growing like crazy. There is a change a-comin!

We also like to laugh and say UCC means Unitarians Considering Christ. We tend to be critical thinkers who challenge people's stances -- we accept them, but we challenge them. It is a hoot.

[TexasObserver]

17. If you've ever been to a Universal Unitarian church, you know it's not your traditional church.

Very progressive. Go visit one.

Not my church, but they're definitely very progressive.

[workinforalivin]

21. Yes, I do, which it is why it is the ONLY church I'd ever consider

attending regularly.

When the same folk who make/made fun of Kucinich for believing in aliens (life on other planets), the same folks who go and pray every Sunday to some mythological entity who they seem to believe can do all sorts of hocus pocus (burning bushes, rods into snakes, parting water, virgins giving birth, water into wine, dead rising up, etc. etc.) admit that believing in life on other planets/in other galaxies is far far far more logical, than their delusional beliefs, I just might start thinking they're getting a clue.

[thevoiceofreason]

22. If you ever want to go to about the most accepting "regular" church aroound

We'd be glad to see you. I have a passel of friends who are UU's. I respect everything you folks have to say.

[TexasObserver]

28. UU is all about the world we live in now, and is more like a conference of libs getting together.

As for the myths that fundies believe, there are many non fundie Christians who take a different view. They see myths and legends as stories designed to make some point, some of which were tied to the time they were written and some of which have more enduring meaning.

The Bible is best understood as literature, fractured history, and borrowed myths and legends. It has some philosophy, and a lot of controlling of cultures.

[thevoiceofreason]

30. TO, yeah, our view is that the bible, like Jesus' lessons

Is meant to teach through story, fable and analogy.

Extreme literal translations are insane. Never was the intent.

And the exclusiveness doctrine of many Christian churches -- hypocisy at its apex.

We're all trying to learn, to get along, and to keep those with blinders on from ruining it for everyone.

[workinforalivin]

32. Like Aesop's Fables

I get that part. Yet, the politicians, many in our country support, don't seem to agree. They still base much of their decisions on Judea-Christian mythology.

[workinclasszero]

12. Texas is gonna break BIG for Obama!

I hope its another Wisconsin size blowout for Obama!:woohoo:

[adoraz]

14. 600-1200% of "normal" levels for African American areas

awesome, because we know who most of them are voting for :)

[quantass]

20. LOL!

Hey whacha talkin' about? :toast:

[malik flavors]

16. I live in Harris County, and I voted for Obama this afternoon

I didn't even know anybody else on the running except for the presidential nominees, so I just voted for barack and split. I lucked out, because there weren't many people there when I went to vote, but as I was leaving a line had just started to form. Good timing on my part.

[thevoiceofreason]

19. Dang, I wish I could have talked to you before to vote for Sam Houston

He's running for Texas Supreme Court and he is a great guy. Our supreme court is all kinda screwed up, sucking on the breast of the insurance industry whenever possible. Sam is fair and smart as the blazes.

But good on you for the Barack vote :)

[blogslut]

23. Darn, you should have also voted in the Democratic Senate category

at least. There's a possibility we will have us a real contender to take on old man Cornyn.

[thevoiceofreason]

24. True, but I think Rick will have it -- he's our best shot

An actual war hero instead of a bullshit chickenhawk like we have now.

[blogslut]

34. Yeah, but he needs primary votes

He's running for the Dem nomination against two other opponents. Not saying there's anything you can do, just reminding those who haven't voted in the primary yet. :)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

18. Great news for my county!!

Excellent!! People are fed up, no matter who they support. If they vote for Grandpa they're just not paying attention.

[Cha]

25. Kick for Texas and

BarackObama!

[Scurrilous]

29. K & R

:thumbsup:

[boppers]

33. DEMOCRACY

WE HAS IT!

[loveangelc]

35. Isn't Harris county a clinton stronghold?

[texas_indy]

36. El Paso is the only major city that could be considered a stronghold

for Hillary. San Antonio may, or may not be. More than 50% Latino but with heavy Military presence (2 AF bases, 1 Army base, other installations)

Houston, located in Harris, would be more for Obama, as should be Austin, DFW and the panhandle.



Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!!

[loveangelc]

37. out of curiosity, why would the panhandle be good for obama? doesn't that border oklahoma

which went overwhelmingly for hillary?

[texas_indy]

39. Texas panhandle not really like Oklahoma. Oklahoma more closely

matches the lower educated, less than 50K a year group which was strong with Hillary. East Oklahoma is more influential side for money and status (Tulsa area and south of it). West OK and OK panhandle are poorer side of state. OKC in the center of state is better off than west OK since it is the capital.

Texas panhandle population is pretty spread out and they have colleges and parts of the universities in Amarillo and Lubbock.
My guess is that they will heavily influence the vote for Obama.
Panhandle is much more like WI which went for Obama.

Also, my OK relatives up there tell me the vote would be a lot close, in not switched, if the primary was held again.

Texas is Obama country. VIVA OBAMA!!

[TexasObserver]

47. I think Hillary could win the panhandle - maybe Amarillo and Lubbock.

But, they don't have a lot of votes up there, and even fewer delegates.

[texas_indy]

Yep, I think it could be a longshot but I'm hoping that somehow he

is able to pull it off. And, if he pulled off a win in either south TX, especially El Paso, the I'll be doing a jig for sure!


Keeping the fingers crossed!

VIVA OBAMA!!

[TexasObserver]

49. I'll give her El Paso, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Brownsville, McAllen, Amarillo, Harlingen, Abilene.

Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Wichita Falls, and San Antonio are likely close to a split.

Obama wins Houston, Waco, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Austin, Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Nederland/Port Neches Groves. He also wins Longview, Nacogdoches, Huntsville.

[texas_indy]

48. sorry double post, connection is real slow right now.....

[rontun]

38. Didn't realize there were so many Democrats in Texas

Perhaps finally, Texas Democrats are coming out of the closet, repeating a phenomena I've observed in New Hampshire over the past couple of years.

Republicans had so dominated NH politics that it was almost impossible to find anyone willing to admit to being a Democrat. All that has changed now, and the GOP is struggling to find an identity. Fortunately, the Grand OLD Party is precisely that -- OLD! And its numbers are declining.

We may see a phenomenal increase in the number of "purple" states in 2008.

[redqueen]

50. I like the way you think.

:)

[TexasObserver]

52. We've been here, but we haven't had the numbers to win. We're getting the indies back.

Plus, the big number is the new voters, the first time voters who have not voted in the presidential race before.

[donheld]

40. Wonderful

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

[grantcart]

41. super post just out of curiousity

1) what congressional district are you in

2) is it possible to get similar numbers from other counties?

[crispini]

42. Here's one county:

www.dalcoelections.org

You might also try googling: "(countyname) elections" for the following counties:

Travis
Bexar
Denton
Collin (that one should be interesting, is the third most Republican county in the nation)

what else, hm..... not sure....

[texas_indy]

45. Just voted in Collin county. The process was very simple.

1. show your registration card to 1st clerk
2. she asks which party and then she checks your card by scanner
3. you sign at the next clerk and she gives you something like a credit card with the ballot for the party you picked
4. you take the "credit card", insert it in the touch screen machine
5. the ballot for the party you picked comes up, you select your pick, and then submit ballot
6. "credit card" pops out and you give that back to last clerk.

No paper trail. No verification to prove how you voted.

Not many republicans were doing early voting today apparently. The guy in front of me stated he wanted the republican ballot and the clerk was so surprised she asked him to repeat it. (I voted at noon and they had opened at 7am) She then said, "we got a republican", to the 2nd clerk and they both laughed.


Texas is Obama country! VIVA OBAMA!!

[crispini]

46. Ahahahahaha. I love it!

"we got a republican" :rofl:

Have you told that story over in the Texas forum yet? If not, please go do so. They'll love it. :rofl:

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

43. We won't be giving John McCain an inch

Just think how the RNC is going to feel when they have to frantically deal with holding Texas or the Dakotas, let alone setting up a 'must win' situation in Ohio. Think about how fucking terrified John Cornyn must feel right now.

Obama is going to create the strongest, most forward-thinking Democratic party since FDR.

[dempartisan23]

51. i like this

great news!! we must defeat hillary's campaign of hate and division