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Voter residency laws need more

clarity after local voter fraud case

Posted: Saturday, June 22, 2013 11:13 pm

A potentially precedent-setting case regarding voter registration and residency requirements is scheduled to start inMontgomery County Monday.

After a failed attempt to get a visiting judge recused from the case, it appears James Jenkins and possibly AdrianHeath will be on trial Monday in the 359th state District Court in Montgomery County.

The two are part of a group of 10 who tried to establish their residency at aResidence Inn in The Woodlands in order to seize control of The Woodlands

Road Utility District No. 1 back in 2010. The district only had two registered and legal voters at that time. The other10 who listed their residence on voter registration cards at the 9333 Six Pines address at the Residence Inn votedin the election, which resulted in a 10-2 vote in favor of the challengers in all three board elections for the RUD.

However, a state district court in Montgomery County and the 9th Court of Appeals in Beaumont ruled that theirvotes were invalid, and the three incumbents who filed suit retained their positions. The judge in the state districtcourt case ruled the residences of the 10 contestees were not within the RUD on the date each signed a votersregistration application, nor on May 8, 2010, when they voted, nor subsequently.

So, now seven of the 10 who voted face potential criminal convictions and sentencing for voter fraud, and its beingprosecuted by the state Attorney Generals Office.

Certainly, the outcome of this first case will create a domino effect in the other cases. If there are convictions, wemost likely will see plea agreements reached in the other cases. And, if there is a not guilty verdict, the other casesprobably will be dropped.

But we have no illusions that these voters intentionally tried to skirt the spirt of voter registration laws in Texas andwere not permanent residents at their listed address and certainly did not intend to live there for the long term.

Whether residents agree or disagree with the direction or views of a board, council, court, legislator or otherelected official, voters must respect the laws in place and the integrity of voter rights and registration put in place.

And, for at least the RUD 7, they now will face the legal music to determine their fate after knowingly trying toestablish residence at an address that they clearly did not intend to call home. They have been charged with voterfraud, a third-degree felony; and, if convicted, the face a prison term of two to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000.

The states laws regarding voters legal residency do mean something, and citizens must abide by them.

Posted in Opinion on Saturday, June 22, 2013 11:13 pm.

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Posts: 575

Wormwood posted at 8:14 pm on Sun, Jun 23, 2013.

Voter fraud?

Republicans in Texas have redistricted traditionally leaning Democrat districts so theycan't lose. Without fair elections you can't have any type of a balanced government.Republicans lie when they claim they are constitutional protectors. That is the root toeverything; having a fair government.

Most of you claim to be God fearing people? Please share with me what kind of Godthat is that would support this kind of evil. You are the worst kind of hypocrite when youclaim to be the party of family values.

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Posts: 1433

jaxtrk posted at 4:16 pm on Sun, Jun 23, 2013.

Republicans screaming of voter fraud by the Democrats and the ONLY VOTER FRAUDis done by Republicans. It's just does not get any better than this. [whistling]

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Posts: 575

Wormwood posted at 1:26 pm on Sun, Jun 23, 2013.

Jeb Bush was born in Texas.

W, H, and P Bush were all born up north. They aren't from the south. Their "roots" aren'tsouthern.

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Posts: 2744

imagolfer posted at 10:56 am on Sun, Jun 23, 2013.

GH Bush and his wife raised their family in Midland, TX....just saying.

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Stoo Pidiot posted at 6:37 am on Sun, Jun 23, 2013.

Voter residency laws need more clarity after local voter fraud case - Your... http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/opinion/voter-residency-laws-...

2 of 3 6/24/2013 6:18 AM

Posts: 21Let the truth be told about residencies ... in mid 1987 G.H. Bushs rented a hotel room atthe Houstonian Hotel in Houston so that their official voting address right before the1988 election would be in Texas .

G.H.Bush never had an official home in Texas before that point in time, ... just sayin'.

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Voter residency laws need more clarity after local voter fraud case - Your... http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/opinion/voter-residency-laws-...

3 of 3 6/24/2013 6:18 AM