The Cues Voters Use to Elect Unknown Candidates
Ever heard of Elsa Alcala?
She’s one of the nine judges on the state’s highest criminal court, which literally decides matters of life and death. And she’ll be on the Republican ballot in March. But most Texans won’t see her name until they walk into the booth next year and decide her future.
Voters choose dozens of important state officials in every election without knowing a thing about them. So they rely on other cues — like political affiliations, pleasing names and who knows what else — to elect judges, legislators and other down-ballot officials.
Stephen Mansfield, a ...
Comments (16)
gypsy314 ne
Remember a vote for a democrat is a vote for Obama and his illegal aliens and homosexuals.
Rudy Gonzales
It is sad the gist of this posting is so true. Many voters will vote for the party rather than the state as a whole or political party without thinking. The blatant lying and falsifications spewed forth by non-thinkers is mind numbing! I could not vote blindly for anyone who would prostrate himself at Trumps feet or kiss ring or any of the other puppeteers like Grover Norquist, Bob Vander Plaats, Edward H Crane and David Keene. I personally like someone who can stand on their own two feet and and up for the principles of American pride and no be beholding to any one group, religion, sect or self-grand-izing pulpit preacher. The TEA-GOP-Republicans have lowered the standards of American politics to a new and lower level.
Carol Koenig
Yes I know Elsa Alcala and met her several times when she was on 1st COA. I campaigned for Eva Guzman's reelection after being appointed to the Texas Supreme Court. I voted for Carrillo and against Smith. I'm not sure if the problem you raise occurs because people vote for familiar names or simply cast uninformed votes. Both are wrong. If you haven't educated yourself about the candidates or issues on the ballot, skip that race.
At the local party level, we host candidate forums, open houses, campaign headquarters and other events and invite all the up and down ballot candidates to participate, including appellate justices. We send emails and provide candidate information at monthly meetings and the county fair to educate the voters. And occassionally some of it takes.
By the way, your forgot the cone hat and smiley face on the photo illustration.
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Even a chimp could win in Texas if it had that "R" beside its name thanks to Karl Rove.
Bill Eaves via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Or just anything but a D behind u're name
Mark Paulson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That is true. Republicans would vote for a potted plant if it had an (R) behind the name.
Stephen Lloyd via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I vote anyone who DOESN'T have an (R) by their name.
Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
and a GQ Face etc
Paul Underbrink via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's time for Democrats to vote in the Republican primary.
Trey Pope via Texas Tribune on Facebook
At the very least, Democrats can take comfort in knowing the types that will vote for Democratic candidates: college professors, news media, Hollywood, ambulance chaser attorneys, cemetery residents and union bosses.
Mark Shilling via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I saw the pic and though Jack was announcing for office.
gypsy314 ne
Remember a vote for a democrat is a vote for Obama and illegal aliens and homosexuals.
Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This subject really ticks me off~why in the world should we need to declare that early? I'm still saying,no red,no blue.Texans should be red,white,and blue!
Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bambi~Don't know about a chimp...but certainly a Longhorn or a collie.Perhaps even a horny toad,I mean horned frog.
Tom Sweazea via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And why the hell is Tom 'convicted felon' DeLay still walking the streets?
Robert Domitz
When I was growing up, newspapers dedicated pages to comparing candidates, both for primaries and for general elections, complete with editorials recommending whom to vote for and against. Too many newspapers today fail to provide this, except for national races.
These days, the national news is available through multiple channels, but these channels ignore the local news unless it "goes viral." This is an area where the newspaper can shine: often, these days, they are the only source of local news in their distribution area. Political parties can help by providing background information on all their candidates.