Be a poll watcher
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AustinLiberator
Sep 4, 2022, 12:47:02 PM9/4/22
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Austin Liberator
The newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Travis County (LPTravis)
1. Be a poll watcher
From the Texas Secretary of State, Sept. 1:
“Today, Texas Secretary of State John Scott announced a new poll watcher training program that allows interested Texans to become certified as poll watchers for the upcoming November 8, 2022 General Election. Under Texas law, individuals seeking to become poll watchers must obtain a Certificate of Completion from the Texas Secretary of State's office through this training program - as well as a Certificate of Appointment from a candidate, political party or specific-purpose political action committee - in order to be accepted as a poll watcher at a particular polling location, meeting place for an early voting ballot board or signature verification committee, or central counting station where voted ballots are tabulated…”
Continue at
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXSOS/bulletins/329ccbb
------------------
2. Ballotpedia
[In addition to the story below, see also this Facebook comment related to citizen initiatives from LPTravis Chair and State Rep. (District 50) nominee Ted Brown.]
Our friend in Houston, Barry Klein, has devoted many years to the cause of using citizen petitions to get issues on the ballot. He wrote to me this week:
The newsletter of the Libertarian Party of Travis County (LPTravis)
1. Be a poll watcher
From the Texas Secretary of State, Sept. 1:
“Today, Texas Secretary of State John Scott announced a new poll watcher training program that allows interested Texans to become certified as poll watchers for the upcoming November 8, 2022 General Election. Under Texas law, individuals seeking to become poll watchers must obtain a Certificate of Completion from the Texas Secretary of State's office through this training program - as well as a Certificate of Appointment from a candidate, political party or specific-purpose political action committee - in order to be accepted as a poll watcher at a particular polling location, meeting place for an early voting ballot board or signature verification committee, or central counting station where voted ballots are tabulated…”
Continue at
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXSOS/bulletins/329ccbb
------------------
2. Ballotpedia
[In addition to the story below, see also this Facebook comment related to citizen initiatives from LPTravis Chair and State Rep. (District 50) nominee Ted Brown.]
Our friend in Houston, Barry Klein, has devoted many years to the cause of using citizen petitions to get issues on the ballot. He wrote to me this week:
"I have decided that non-binding advisory elections are the smart path forward for libertarians. They can be held in any of the nearly 23,000 local jurisdictions… cities and counties … in the 50 states. Nothing has more weight in politics than those moments when voters speak."
Barry provided links to several relevant Ballotpedia articles related to non-binding and binding ballot initiatives:
"I am a member of Veterans For Peace and co-founder of the Foreign Policy Alliance based in Houston.
"FPA advocates a localist strategy, using non-binding, "advisory" elections, to stimulate a national conversation about militarization and nuclear weapons. This game plan is endorsed by Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame.
"In the US we have about 23,000 local jurisdictions, cities and counties.
"Attached is the flyer* I have prepared on how this strategy can be implemented. I have more detail to offer if you're interested. (This tactic can be used to advance reform on any issue, not only foreign policy!)"
- Overview of ballot measures (including advisory elections)
- Local Ballot Measures (includes info on non-binding advisory elections):
- Laws Governing Ballot Measures
- Laws Governing Local Ballot Measures
- Local measures to advance a national agenda
- A primer (regarding binding elections): Local Ballot Initiatives: How citizens change laws with clipboards, conversations, and campaigns
"I am a member of Veterans For Peace and co-founder of the Foreign Policy Alliance based in Houston.
"FPA advocates a localist strategy, using non-binding, "advisory" elections, to stimulate a national conversation about militarization and nuclear weapons. This game plan is endorsed by Daniel Ellsberg of Pentagon Papers fame.
"In the US we have about 23,000 local jurisdictions, cities and counties.
"Attached is the flyer* I have prepared on how this strategy can be implemented. I have more detail to offer if you're interested. (This tactic can be used to advance reform on any issue, not only foreign policy!)"
Barry Klein
713-224-4144
ForeignPolicyAlliance.org
*[Ed. note: If you would like a copy of Barry's flyer, write me at bob.ru...@gmail.com.]
By the way, Leslie Graves, former chair of LPWisconsin and former regional rep on the Libertarian National Committee in the 1980s, founded the Lucy Burns Institute in 2006. LBI is better known today as Ballotpedia.
-----------------
3. Libertarian candidates news
Wes Benedict, Libertarian for Williamson County Judge, is preparing door hangers to promote his candidacy. He is asking for your input on the design.
Mark Tippetts, Libertarian for Governor: On Saturday, September 24, join Mark on South Congress in Austin to mingle with the public at the Texas Tribune Fest’s (free) Open Congress event. Later that day, Tippetts and Jaime Diez, Libertarian for Railroad Commission, will visit LPBexar in San Antonio. You are invited.
Mark will visit with LPComal in New Braunfels on Sunday, September 25.
Jaime Diez, Libertarian for Railroad Commissioner, was profiled in the National Hispanic Institute’s NHI Magazine.
Good Party says: “Not a political party. We’re building free tools to change the rules, so good independent candidates can run and win! Kenneth Welch, Libertarian for Blanco County Commissioner (Pct. 4) has been certified to be a candidate listed on their site.
-----------------
4. Libertarian Party of Travis County calendar
Libertarian National Chair McArdle to speak to LPTravis, September 12:
Angela McArdle will visit with the members of the Libertarian Party of Travis County on Monday, September 12. McArdle was elected chair of the Libertarian National Committee on May 29, 2022 by delegates to the national convention in Reno. Her term is two years.
She is also moving to Austin soon from Los Angeles.
LPTravis monthly business meeting and happy hour.
Monday, September 12
6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Casa Chapala, 9041 Research Blvd., Austin.
Visitors are welcome.
Keep up to date at our website, Facebook page, and Facebook group page.
If you are interested in finding a volunteer role with LPTravis (the possibilities are endless), we encourage you to accept this LPTexas Discord Server Invitation. Once you are set up on the Discord application, then join the LPTravis Discord Channel.
------------------
5. Area events of interest
Wednesday, September 7: The Price of Freedom: Screening of “The Hong Konger” 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Free. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 901 Congress, Austin.
Wednesday, September 7: Texas NORML September Livestream. 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 8: Austin Reasonoids (Conditional!?) Happy Hour at Draught House. 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP at the Meetup site by Monday, September 5.
Friday, September 9: The State of Black Texas: Workforce & Economic Development Summit. 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 901 Congress Avenue, Austin.
Saturday, September 17: Texas NORML’s 2022 Puff ‘n Putt: Veteran Golf Benefit. 11:00 a.m. $25 - 80. Willie Nelson’s Golf Course – 807 Paisley Dr, Spicewood.
Sunday, September 18: Foundations of a Free Society Reading Group. 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Online meetup by Austin Objectivism.
Tuesday, September 20: Libertarian Party of Bexar County Discussion Meeting, with Mike ter Maat. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Blanco BBQ, 13259 Blanco Rd, San Antonio.
Saturday, September 24: Join LP Governor nominee Mark Tippetts on South Congress to mingle with attendees at TribFest’s Open Congress.
Saturday, September 24: LPBexar hosts Mark Tippetts and Jaime Diez. 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 13259 Blanco Road, San Antonio.
Sunday, September 25: Mark Tippetts Meet & Greet in New Braunfels. 3:00 - 5;00 p.m. Free. 586 Springs Nursery, New Braunfels.
Sunday, September 25: Austin Libertarian Meetup Group. 7:00 p.m. Pok-e-Jo's, 4109 Capital of Texas Highway (Brodie Oaks Shopping Center), Austin.
Tuesday, September 27 : Williamson County Libertarian Social. 6:30 p.m. Lupe Tortilla, 240 Bass Pro Dr., Round Rock.
Tuesdays (1st, 3rd, 5th): Speaking of Liberty Toastmasters. Currently meeting in person with an online option.
Tuesdays: Austin Bitcoin Meetup. 7:00 p.m. Online events.
------------------------
6. Local media and web
Websites
Libertarian Party of Travis County
Williamson County Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party of Texas
Texas Gold
Facebook
Libertarian Party of Travis County page & group
Williamson County Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party of Hays County
Libertarian Parties of Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe Counties.
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Discord
LPTexas Discord Server Invitation
LPTravis Discord Channel
Podcasts
Scott Horton interviews
Counterflow -- Buck Johnson
Blogs
Dr. Mary Ruwart
Libertarian translators by J. Henry Phillips
Twitter
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Instagram
TexasGold
MeWe
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Telegram
TexasGold
Flote
TexasGold
YouTube
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Clubhouse
TexasGold
------------------------
7. What is a libertarian?
Some say libertarians are "plotting to take over the world and leave you alone."
Watch this entertaining 10-minute animation on "The Philosophy of Liberty." (English version) (Other languages)
Tomasz Kaye has created four excellent animations, "George ought to help" (4 min.), "Edgar the Exploiter" (7 min.), "You can always leave" (11.5 min.), and “Sex and Taxes” (5 min.).
Here is a 7-minute video, "What is Classical Liberalism?" from Learn Liberty.
Take this short (10 question) online quiz from the Advocates for Self-Government to see if you might have libertarian leanings: “The World’s Smallest Political Quiz.”
More information can be found at:
http://www.lp.org/faq
http://www.libertarianism.org
http://www.theadvocates.org
**********************************************************************
Austin Liberator editor: Bob Ruliffson
bob.ru...@gmail.com
“Those who expect to reap the benefits of
freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue
of supporting it.”
Thomas Paine
The content of this newsletter is selected by the
editor, and may not reflect the official position
of the Libertarian Party of Travis County. Also,
the inclusion of any particular item in this
newsletter does not necessarily mean my
endorsement, but I'm trying to maintain a
relatively big tent here.
**********************************************************************
Austin Liberator website
Become a monthly pledger to the Libertarian Party of Texas!
Donate to the LPTravis using PayPal. (Use the “sending to a friend” option)
Donate to the LPTC using Piryx..
For more information:
tra...@lptexas.org
LPTra...@gmail.com
Libertarian Party of Texas: 1-800-422-1776
713-224-4144
ForeignPolicyAlliance.org
*[Ed. note: If you would like a copy of Barry's flyer, write me at bob.ru...@gmail.com.]
By the way, Leslie Graves, former chair of LPWisconsin and former regional rep on the Libertarian National Committee in the 1980s, founded the Lucy Burns Institute in 2006. LBI is better known today as Ballotpedia.
-----------------
3. Libertarian candidates news
Wes Benedict, Libertarian for Williamson County Judge, is preparing door hangers to promote his candidacy. He is asking for your input on the design.
Mark Tippetts, Libertarian for Governor: On Saturday, September 24, join Mark on South Congress in Austin to mingle with the public at the Texas Tribune Fest’s (free) Open Congress event. Later that day, Tippetts and Jaime Diez, Libertarian for Railroad Commission, will visit LPBexar in San Antonio. You are invited.
Mark will visit with LPComal in New Braunfels on Sunday, September 25.
Jaime Diez, Libertarian for Railroad Commissioner, was profiled in the National Hispanic Institute’s NHI Magazine.
Good Party says: “Not a political party. We’re building free tools to change the rules, so good independent candidates can run and win! Kenneth Welch, Libertarian for Blanco County Commissioner (Pct. 4) has been certified to be a candidate listed on their site.
-----------------
4. Libertarian Party of Travis County calendar
Libertarian National Chair McArdle to speak to LPTravis, September 12:
Angela McArdle will visit with the members of the Libertarian Party of Travis County on Monday, September 12. McArdle was elected chair of the Libertarian National Committee on May 29, 2022 by delegates to the national convention in Reno. Her term is two years.
She is also moving to Austin soon from Los Angeles.
LPTravis monthly business meeting and happy hour.
Monday, September 12
6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Casa Chapala, 9041 Research Blvd., Austin.
Visitors are welcome.
Keep up to date at our website, Facebook page, and Facebook group page.
If you are interested in finding a volunteer role with LPTravis (the possibilities are endless), we encourage you to accept this LPTexas Discord Server Invitation. Once you are set up on the Discord application, then join the LPTravis Discord Channel.
------------------
5. Area events of interest
Wednesday, September 7: The Price of Freedom: Screening of “The Hong Konger” 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Free. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 901 Congress, Austin.
Wednesday, September 7: Texas NORML September Livestream. 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 8: Austin Reasonoids (Conditional!?) Happy Hour at Draught House. 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP at the Meetup site by Monday, September 5.
Friday, September 9: The State of Black Texas: Workforce & Economic Development Summit. 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 901 Congress Avenue, Austin.
Saturday, September 17: Texas NORML’s 2022 Puff ‘n Putt: Veteran Golf Benefit. 11:00 a.m. $25 - 80. Willie Nelson’s Golf Course – 807 Paisley Dr, Spicewood.
Sunday, September 18: Foundations of a Free Society Reading Group. 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Online meetup by Austin Objectivism.
Tuesday, September 20: Libertarian Party of Bexar County Discussion Meeting, with Mike ter Maat. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Blanco BBQ, 13259 Blanco Rd, San Antonio.
Saturday, September 24: Join LP Governor nominee Mark Tippetts on South Congress to mingle with attendees at TribFest’s Open Congress.
Saturday, September 24: LPBexar hosts Mark Tippetts and Jaime Diez. 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 13259 Blanco Road, San Antonio.
Sunday, September 25: Mark Tippetts Meet & Greet in New Braunfels. 3:00 - 5;00 p.m. Free. 586 Springs Nursery, New Braunfels.
Sunday, September 25: Austin Libertarian Meetup Group. 7:00 p.m. Pok-e-Jo's, 4109 Capital of Texas Highway (Brodie Oaks Shopping Center), Austin.
Tuesday, September 27 : Williamson County Libertarian Social. 6:30 p.m. Lupe Tortilla, 240 Bass Pro Dr., Round Rock.
Tuesdays (1st, 3rd, 5th): Speaking of Liberty Toastmasters. Currently meeting in person with an online option.
Tuesdays: Austin Bitcoin Meetup. 7:00 p.m. Online events.
------------------------
6. Local media and web
Websites
Libertarian Party of Travis County
Williamson County Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party of Texas
Texas Gold
Libertarian Party of Travis County page & group
Williamson County Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party of Hays County
Libertarian Parties of Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe Counties.
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Discord
LPTexas Discord Server Invitation
LPTravis Discord Channel
Podcasts
Scott Horton interviews
Counterflow -- Buck Johnson
Blogs
Dr. Mary Ruwart
Libertarian translators by J. Henry Phillips
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
TexasGold
MeWe
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Telegram
TexasGold
Flote
TexasGold
YouTube
Libertarian Party of Texas
TexasGold
Clubhouse
TexasGold
------------------------
7. What is a libertarian?
Some say libertarians are "plotting to take over the world and leave you alone."
Watch this entertaining 10-minute animation on "The Philosophy of Liberty." (English version) (Other languages)
Tomasz Kaye has created four excellent animations, "George ought to help" (4 min.), "Edgar the Exploiter" (7 min.), "You can always leave" (11.5 min.), and “Sex and Taxes” (5 min.).
Here is a 7-minute video, "What is Classical Liberalism?" from Learn Liberty.
Take this short (10 question) online quiz from the Advocates for Self-Government to see if you might have libertarian leanings: “The World’s Smallest Political Quiz.”
More information can be found at:
http://www.lp.org/faq
http://www.libertarianism.org
http://www.theadvocates.org
**********************************************************************
Austin Liberator editor: Bob Ruliffson
bob.ru...@gmail.com
“Those who expect to reap the benefits of
freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue
of supporting it.”
Thomas Paine
The content of this newsletter is selected by the
editor, and may not reflect the official position
of the Libertarian Party of Travis County. Also,
the inclusion of any particular item in this
newsletter does not necessarily mean my
endorsement, but I'm trying to maintain a
relatively big tent here.
**********************************************************************
Austin Liberator website
Become a monthly pledger to the Libertarian Party of Texas!
Donate to the LPTravis using PayPal. (Use the “sending to a friend” option)
Donate to the LPTC using Piryx..
For more information:
tra...@lptexas.org
LPTra...@gmail.com
Libertarian Party of Texas: 1-800-422-1776
National Libertarian Party: 1-800-ELECT US
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