What can I run for in 2012?

[RileyE104]

I am considering at least getting my name on the ballot for something in the Republican primaries.


I live in Houston, TX.
Right now I am 19. I will be 21 a month before the election.


Any suggestions?

 

[Kregisen]

Check to see what the age requirements are for the various offices....could be you're too young to run for anything (I'm 19 too)

 

[MyLibertyStuff]

Have you looked into precinct leader?

 

[nate895]

I am not sure in Texas, but in most states you have to be either legally eligible voter, or a registered voter to run for most state-level offices. The oldest it could be in your state for state legislature would 21. However, sometimes you have to turn that age before the actual day you would take office, and even before election day.

 

[Elwar]

I am considering at least getting my name on the ballot for something in the Republican primaries.


I live in Houston, TX.
Right now I am 19. I will be 21 a month before the election.


Any suggestions?

I was precinct chair when I lived in Texas. For me it was easy because the lady who was the chair for the past 30 years was tired of it and was stepping down. I got in without any need for a vote. Otherwise, you could probably show up with about 10-20 people once the polls close at your primary and you'd be in.

Go to your Republican Party office and ask about the precinct chair position.

 

[RileyE104]

I am not sure in Texas, but in most states you have to be either legally eligible voter, or a registered voter to run for most state-level offices. The oldest it could be in your state for state legislature would 21. However, sometimes you have to turn that age before the actual day you would take office, and even before election day.

I am a registered voter.

I know that to run for state legislature you have to be 21.
I just don't know if you have to be that old when you file to run or just before you officially take office.

BTW, I don't think running to represent my district in the state legislature is a feasible option. The incumbent (I forget how many terms) has thousands of dollars behind him and I believe the official endorsement from the GOP.

I was precinct chair when I lived in Texas. For me it was easy because the lady who was the chair for the past 30 years was tired of it and was stepping down. I got in without any need for a vote. Otherwise, you could probably show up with about 10-20 people once the polls close at your primary and you'd be in.

Go to your Republican Party office and ask about the precinct chair position.

I still don't fully understand how this works.

If it takes place AFTER the polls close, how do you officially become 'precinct leader'??

Last time I went the place was pretty empty (during the time voting was taking place).
I did not stay after the polls closed because I wasn't aware of any gathering taking place until someone on these forums told me they do that, so it was too late.


So you're basically saying if I go to where voting takes place AFTER the polls close with as many friends and family as I can, I can likely claim the position as precinct leader??

OK, but I have one other question..
What exactly does precinct leader do?

 

[RPTXState]

Precinct Leaders in Texas political parties are elected in primary elections. So you will need to apply around December of next year for an election in March 2012. If your precinct is vacant, you could also apply for an appointment, but it's possible the party leaders might draft someone else to run rather than appoint you.

Do you actually live in Houston proper or a suburb? City Council might be something to lookout if the town is small.

 

[Elwar]

So you're basically saying if I go to where voting takes place AFTER the polls close with as many friends and family as I can, I can likely claim the position as precinct leader??

OK, but I have one other question..
What exactly does precinct leader do?

Well, that's how it was in my precinct. I suppose since my old precinct chair wasn't running, I was able to become chair at that point. That's why I said to go to your local Republican Party site. If there is someone who's in the position and wants to run then you'll have to run against them on the ballot.

But most precincts don't even have a leader.

I went to my primary and after I voted I asked the guy working there where the precinct party meeting took place. He showed me the room for the Republicans. I came back just as the polls closed and went into that room. It was just me and my wife. The old precinct chair came in and said she was glad that someone was taking over the slot. She handed me the precinct chair "folder" and told me to fill it out and turn it in within 24 hours. We "voted" for me and that was it.

A precinct chair is basically in charge of getting people in your precinct to the polls for your party.

But the real power comes at the convention levels.

Even if you don't become precinct chair, you can be a delegate. Each precinct has a few delegates depending on the size (mine had 10, I could've brought 9 more people in to vote with me).

First you go to your county convention. There you and the delegates all vote on various things, nothing too important. The biggest vote is for who gets to go to the state convention. With 10 delegate slots, my precinct got to send one person to the state convention. That was easy, I voted for myself and became a state delegate. But most precincts might have less, so they have to join with other precincts and they all have to vote for their state delegates. That's why you need people to go with you as delegates so that they can vote for you.

The important stuff happens at the state convention. That's where you vote for stuff like state party platform and bi-laws etc. Two very important votes are votes for who you send to the national convention, and who you send to the electoral college. These two slots determine who becomes president of the United States. At the national convention you can vote for who you want to represent the Republican Party (In Texas you have to support the candidate that your state chose in the first round, if it goes on to a second round you can then vote for whomever you want...ie Ron Paul).

If you're sent to the Electoral College you can vote for Ron Paul as the Republican choice for president, no matter which Republican candidate were to win. They make you sign a contract saying you'll vote for the candidate chosen by the National convention, but if we had enough people at that level they could take one for the team and vote for Ron Paul. There have been many protest votes at the electoral college.

Also, at the national convention you can vote for things like the Republican Party platform and members of the RNC, etc...

So precinct chair is the first step in a huge ladder that gets more power the higher you go.

 

[Deborah K]

Bless your heart for wanting to run for office. We need more young people like you. Especially if you espouse Ron Paul's platform.

 

[RileyE104]

Precinct Leaders in Texas political parties are elected in primary elections. So you will need to apply around December of next year for an election in March 2012.

Do you actually live in Houston proper or a suburb? City Council might be something to lookout if the town is small.

Clear Lake. I live in Pete Olson's district.

For the precinct chair, as long as I qualify and it's not too expensive I would be happy to simply put my name on the ballot and get as many people as I can to vote for me.

 

[notsure]

THE Border !
..Zing

 

[RileyE104]

THE Border !
..Zing

hahaha

I really want to move somewhere out in southwest Texas so I can do that in case there's ever a reason to. Either that or just somewhere out in the middle of the country where no one and no epidemic will F with me and my family. Some small town somewhere, if I can ever find a good one.

 

[Imperial]

Clear Lake. I live in Pete Olson's district.

I wouldn't get used to living in Olson's district. Tom Delay's machinations gerrymandered the heck out of that area; the boundary between Ron Paul and Tom Delay's district in that area can be vague in some areas. If one seat goes to Fort Bend County or somewhere around there, it is going to be madness.

 

[RileyE104]

I wouldn't get used to living in Olson's district. Tom Delay's machinations gerrymandered the heck out of that area; the boundary between Ron Paul and Tom Delay's district in that area can be vague in some areas. If one seat goes to Fort Bend County or somewhere around there, it is going to be madness.

lol, I've lived here my whole life. The only chance of moving (right now) is if something happens that literally requires having to get out of dodge.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Given that you are so young, do not be disappointed if you do not win -- some folks may not be willing to trust someone so young quite yet, but if nothing else it will help boost name recognition for the next election, so don't let that discourage you.

Possible races may include County Commissioner, Town Council (if you live within a municipal boundary), or any number of other seats. Be aware that in many places municipal elections (ie Town Council) take place in odd numbered years - opposite that of 'ordinary' elections.

 

[Imperial]

lol, I've lived here my whole life. The only chance of moving (right now) is if something happens that literally requires having to get out of dodge.

No I mean that the districts will likely change soon.

 

[RPTXState]

Clear Lake. I live in Pete Olson's district.

For the precinct chair, as long as I qualify and it's not too expensive I would be happy to simply put my name on the ballot and get as many people as I can to vote for me.

There is no filing fee for precinct or county chairs. You will need to turn in a notarized application, and either hand-deliver or send certified mail.

 

[james1906]

Most cities have commissions (planning, parks, etc) that are appointed by the city council. Oftentimes, there are vacancies on these boards. People often use this as a springboard for running for elective office.

 

[nate895]

No I mean that the districts will likely change soon.

Especially because of the fact that Texas is projected to get 4 extra Congressional seats. While the OP doesn't qualify, we need to get candidates in the several open seats that will be created when states get more Representatives. Even in states that don't, redistricting might put two congressmen in one district to fight it out with each other, whereas another seat is left open.

 

[VaderM5]

Most county and city positions just require you to be 18.