TX Republican Senator Birdwell Committed Voter Fraud

[sonias]

Texas Tribune 7/28/10
Texas Senator's Voting, Residency Questioned

The newest member of the Texas Senate, Brian Douglas Birdwell, voted in the November 2004 presidential election twice, choosing between George W. Bush and John Kerry in Tarrant County, Texas, and again in Prince William County, Va., according to election records in the two states.

Voting in the same election twice is a third-degree felony in Texas.

What's more, Birdwell's record of voting in Virginia from 2004 through 2006 would seem to place his residency in that state, not in Texas, which could imperil his spot in the Legislature. Birdwell voted a Virginia ballot in November 2006; if that's enough to establish him as a Virginia resident, an issue that can only be settled in court, it means he's not eligible to serve in the Texas Senate until at least November 2011.

But you think the Texas A.G. is going to charge this Republican as he should for voter fraud? Don't hold your breath. It won't happen. They'll let him skate because he's now a Texas Senator. There's no doubt he intentionally voted twice in the 2004 Presidential election.

Oh how the Republicans like to scream about voter fraud in Texas but when they find a clear cut case of one of their own - suddenly they remain silent.

Another case of laws that don't apply to Republicans. :mad:

[Melissa G]

1. Wow! All that money they wasted trying to find a case of Voter fraud

in Texas and all they had to do was ask one of their own pub Senators... Wonder how he voted on those relevant bills? Any on tape Birdwell ranting about the evils of voter fraud commentary fit for You Tube? :popcorn:

[sonias]

2. He hasn't had a chance to commit more voter fraud at the Lege

He's actually only won the special election to fill the remainder of Kip Averitt's term. So I don't think he'll get to vote on anything in the Lege just yet.

But then this November he's up for the Nov. ballot with no Democratic challenger - yet. With these new developments anything can happen. If the Ds sue to challenge his eligibility or perhaps charge vote fraud felony, he could withdraw from the race to save his hide. Then we get another special election and a D could jump into the race.

It's really complicated - and our chances of holding on to the seat next term, if we won it, would be very low.

But still, you can bet we'll be bringing up this case of voter fraud at the Lege next session!

:hi: Melissa!

[Melissa G]

3. Thanks for the update, Sonia.

I'm so out of the political loop since school started. I graduate in about 3 weeks, so after that, maybe I will have more time to research and be up to date before I post. :blush: :hi:

[tbyg52]

5. >>I graduate in about 3 weeks

Congrats!

:party:

[Melissa G]

12. Thanks, tbyg52!

You'll have to come party with us some time when you make it to Austin! :toast:

[sonias]

7. Congratulations Melissa!

I hope these 3 weeks go by soon, so you can have time to relax.

:hug: :hi:

[Melissa G]

11. Thanks, Sonia.

I have to pass a couple of state board tests, but then more time should appear! :hug: :party:

[tbyg52]

4. >>Another case of laws that don't apply to Republicans

True, but in large part they don't apply to anyone who has already got power, period.

BTW, thanks for the correction about Bell in another thread.

[sonias]

8. That is so true, tbyg52

It is a case of upper class privilege. Those with money and power hardly ever see the long arm of the law. It's not that they don't commit crimes, it's just that laws are not enforced equally. They buy their justice.

Senator Ted Stevens (corrupt R- Alaska) comes to mind for example. I'm sure there are Ds like that too, but at least the recent ones I know of had to pay for their crimes. Representative Jefferson, Representative Terri Hodge right here in Texas too. They are paying for their crimes.

:hi: tbyg52

[tbyg52]

6. >>Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

Aw phooey....!

[hobbit709]

9. Now he's claiming it wasn't him

The records have him confused with his brother. That's his story and he's sticking by it.

[sonias]

10. Of course he has a "plausible abilbi" now

His brother isn't on record as voting, so he did it. It was him that voted and the election judges screwed it up. How convenient, right? Either one of you care to swear to that under oath under penalty of perjury and your right to vote removed?

I'm sure mistakes can be made, but remember you vote in person either on election day or in early voting. The election workers ask you to sign by your name and verify all the information on that line. He also had to provide his voter registration or his photo ID in case he didn't have his voter registration. The names are close but not that close:
Brian Douglas Birdwell
Douglas Todd Birdwell

#1) His brother is a tool for this guy and will say anything to save his brother's hide.
#2) Both his brother and the election clerks made a huge mistake - twice! Once in reading his voting ID and then in reading the line where the brother signed. How does the brother sign his name? Certainly he didn't sign it Brian Birdwell right? He could have signed as Douglas or Todd but not as Brian. And the new Texas Senator goes by the name Brian.

If Birdwell really wants to settle this - he'll release the signature line on the poll book and samples of his and his brother's signatures, so others can judge. How did the person who voted in Texas in 2004 sign their name? How hard is that to view?

If he sticks by this "excuse" then we can say, that serious mistakes are made with in person voting and photo ID is obviously not going to be the end all in in person voter fraud. If election clerks can't catch this kind of mistake, how can they catch any voter fraud?

:shrug: