Because I always consider voting and elections to be serious topics, I thought it might be useful to post some of the references and notes that I used for the May 29th show. Some of the points were not addressed during the show due to time. – Mike

• Open Journal, Thinkwing Radio 2012-MAY-29. TOPIC: Texas Primary Day: Voting Matters. GUESTS: Dr. Blease Graham, Jr. (Visiting Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M, and Robert L. Mark (former candidate for municipal judge, Attorney, Chair of KPFT Board of Directors 2011-2012).
• GUEST MONOGRAPHS

Prof. Cole Blease Graham, Jr.: Blease Graham is currently a visiting professor in the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University. Before moving to Texas, he was a political scientist on the faculty at the University of South Carolina for over thirty years. He is frequently called on by media and community groups to comment on the political scene, especially elections in the South.

Robert L. (“Bob”) Mark: Robert L. Mark is an attorney by profession, having been the Executive Director of Northeast Missouri Legal Services in Hannibal, Missouri from 1984 to 1992. He has chaired the KPFT Local Station Board for the last two years.   He is also on the board of trustees of the Watershed United Methodist Church in League City, Texas. 

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• List of close election results
• Bob Mark’s election story:
  • Election held For City of Hannibal Municipal Judge (April 2, 1991
    • Robert L. Mark:              1387 votes
    • Dennis R. Davidson [I]: 1393 votes
• Today [May 29th, 2012] is Texas Primary Election Day
  • Why Primaries?
    • Reform from smoke-filled room (starting in early 1900s)
    • Important in effectively 1-party areas
    • Close elections
      • Bob Mark’s experience in Hannibal, MO
      • Voter enthusiasm will make a great difference on May 29
      • In Texas, 13.5 million registered voters(total population =26 million)
        • In 2008 primary,
          • 4.1 million voters (approx.. 30% of registered)
            • 2.8 mil of 4.1 mil voted in Democratic primary (Obama v. Clinton)
            • 2008 = 1.3mil in GOP primary; in 2010=1.48 million in GOP
  • In 2012, GOP (Dewhurst v. Cruz) will need about 750,000 to win if turnout is same as in 2010 primary
    • Or  a little less than  6% of registered voters
    • This makes for a close nominating election
• Voter turnout is key to primary results, even more important in run-offs on July 31
• Incentives to vote:
• Early voting
• Motor-voter registration
• Etc.
• Barriers to voter participation
• Voter motivation/demotivation
  • Lines
  • Length of ballot
  • Turned off
  • No ride to polls
  • Don’t like the choices
  • Don’t trust ballot
  • Later than usual primary may promote confusion, frustrated voter
• Opinion leaders: Do endorsements matter, especially in long ballots
  • Endorsements can help save time and inspire participation