Good morning –

Vote early? Vote on election day? I’ve got responses from yesterday’s One Click Survey.

But first, here is your Texas Minute for Wednesday, February 16, 2022.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Morgan Draws Major Support In Statewide Court Race

• While judicial races are often uncontested and overlooked amid the publicity of statewide contests, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals recently drew the spotlight after ruling the Office of the Attorney General does not have the authority to prosecute voter fraud cases. The justices decreed that district and county attorneys have sole authority to prosecute those crimes. Election integrity advocates argue this has the effect of gutting enforcement and accountability. (Nearly all of the Texas Senate’s Republican caucus disagreed, signing on to a court filing urging the CCA to reconsider their ruling.)
     
• As a result, reports Sydnie Henry, conservative organizations around the state are supporting Clint Morgan over incumbent Scott Walker – who signed on to the ruling.
     
• The True Texas Project board unanimously recommended Morgan, noting that “this is Texas’s chance to undo a silly vote for Scott Walker, who only won because he has the same name as someone famous!”
     
• Grassroots America – We The People endorsed Morgan, stating, “That Court desperately needs clear-thinking, principled originalists on the bench.”
   
• Texas Right to Life and multiple local conservative groups also endorsed Morgan.

Texas Border: ‘An Absolute Disaster’

• As part of Texas Scorecard’s Uncut Conversations, five of the GOP candidates for land commissioner discussed their plans for securing Texas’ southern border. Katy Drollinger has the details.

Abbott Curiously Missing From Pro-Life Slate

• The state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization, Texas Right to Life, has issued their 2022 primary endorsements – with Greg Abbott and the gubernatorial race notably absent. Check out Jacob Asmussen’s report.
      
• “Texas Right to Life PAC … only endorses candidates and incumbents who will champion the ProLife cause as officeholders,” explains the organization. Otherwise, the endorsements are in races across the state, including those for Congress, state representative and senator, county judge, and Texas’ State Board of Education.
   
• Gov. Abbott faces a crowded field of challengers for the GOP nomination, most notably from former State Sen. Don Huffines, Lt. Col. Allen West, and media personality Chad Prather.

Vaccine Choice Voting Guide

• Texans for Vaccine Choice released their voter guide this week, featuring 72 candidates running at all levels of government who have signed the TFVC Vaccine Choice Protection Pledge. Sydnie Henry has the full story.
       
• The TFVC pledge reads: “I pledge to the citizens of the State of Texas that I will vigorously work to prohibit all vaccine mandates in Texas, including those imposed by both public and private businesses, and I support a special session to do so immediately.”
      
• While Gov. Greg Abbott has refused to sign the pledge, his biggest primary challengers have all done so.

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Y'All Answered

In light of early voting taking place for the March 1 primary election, yesterday I asked which do you prefer: to vote early, or to vote on election day.

The majority of readers (71.47%) said they prefer early voting, while 28.53% like to wait until election day. Here’s a sampling of the responses:

• “Early voting sounds like a great thing, but it has gotten out of hand.” – Jim Andrade
      
• “I think both early and on day voting are called for. For primary and runoff elections early voting is necessary due to its fluctuation within a voting year. The general election should be held on Election Day and Congress should make it a national holiday allowing people all day to get to their polling stations. Congress has declared all these other national holidays, what’s more important than Election Day?” – Greg Burr
     
• “I wait till election day to see if there are any last minute changes/ information that would change my vote.” – Melynda Caudle
     
• “I like to vote early because you never know if something unforeseen will prevent you from voting on election day and I want my vote counted. Of course, with all the voting fraud going on these days I feel my vote doesn't count for much anyway.” – Elton Page III
     
• “Early voting is convenient and I would have voted this way in the past. But now it gives the opportunity to see how much of a margin there is to cheat. I have no confidence in the voting systems now!” – Kim Moore
       
• “Voting early is quite convenient for those of us in the workforce, who don't have a lot of time to wait in line on election day. It's a great option, as long as that convenience doesn't become manipulated/corrupted by agenda driven leftist goons. Bring back paper ballots, vote counters with integrity, and severe penalties for those who adulterate the process.” – Randy Miller
     
• “I'm not against [voting early] for those who need it, but I am against it for those who are too lazy to make sure to be present and accounted for when required.” – Bob Simpson
     
• “In my opinion, early voting has gotten out of hand.  I can see the need to provide some relief for crowding on election day, but 2 or more weeks is just ridiculous.” – Lloyd Smith
       
• “I have early voted many times but the convenience of early voting and mail in ballots has opened the door for corruption. Election day voting is more secure but less convenient. Early voting should be only 7 days prior and mail in ballots should be verified extreme cases only.” – Jim Hughes

Your Federal & State Lawmakers

The districts displayed here should reflect those recently redrawn by the Legislature. Though the new lines do not take representational effect until 2023, they will appear on the 2022 ballot. Please note that your incumbent legislator and/or district numbers may have changed.