Tag Archives: County Clerk

Ken Paxton cannot be trusted to prosecute anyone

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Scary story: . From Statesman columnist @bgrumet: “@TXAG Ken Paxton is using the powers of his office to treat a good-faith mishap as a crime, after coming under political pressure from his own base to file charges.” — Austin Statesman … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SCOTX upholds Abbott’s limit on mail ballot dropoff locations

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked. In what’s expected to be the final ruling on the matter, the Texas Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Greg Abbott’s order limiting Texas counties to only one drop-off location for voters to hand deliver … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SCOTX reinstates Abbott’s mail ballot dropoff location limit

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

They can move fast when they want to, that’s for sure. Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial order to limit Texas counties to one mail-ballot drop-off site was allowed to remain in effect Saturday by the Texas Supreme Court. The court blocked … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Abbott’s order limiting mail ballot dropoff sites blocked again

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

But that’s not the end of the story, so hang on. A Texas appellate court on Friday stepped in to block Gov. Greg Abbott’s order limiting counties to just one mail-ballot dropoff site, but Harris County officials said they will … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

State judge halts Abbott’s mail ballot dropoff limit order

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Remember there was a state lawsuit over the executive order that limited counties to one mail ballot dropoff location? That suit had a hearing this week, and the plaintiffs prevailed. For now, at least. A Travis County state district judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Third lawsuit filed against Abbott’s order to limit mail ballot dropoff sites

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This one’s in state court. Gov. Greg Abbott’s order limiting Texas counties to one mail ballot drop-off location has been challenged in court a third time. The lawsuit filed in Travis County court on Monday alleges that Abbott’s order exceeds … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020, Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Just a reminder, you can get a mail ballot if you need one

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

No one is going to stop you. As Democrats and civil rights groups sue to expand mail-in voting during the pandemic, a recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court has left it up to voters to decide for themselves whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

State Supreme Court issues confusing ruling in vote by mail case

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s unpack this. The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a lack of immunity to the new coronavirus does not qualify a voter to apply for a mail-in ballot. In the latest twist in the legal fight over voting … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

We already have the power to do more voting by mail

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

KUT points to a path forward that could get a lot more people voting by mail in Texas. Texas has one of the most restrictive vote-by-mail laws in the country, but it is open to some of the state’s most … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Boosting student turnout at UT

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Cool story. Between 2013 and 2016, Texas eliminated more than 400 polling locations, the largest drop in any state during that time. In 2013, after years of litigation, it implemented a strict voter ID law. The law, which lists seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Boosting student turnout at UT

Filing roundup: Outside Harris County

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

A look at who filed for what on the Democratic side in the counties around Harris. These are all predominantly Republican counties, some more than others, so the Democrats are almost all challengers. On the flip side, there are many … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Your periodic reminder that non-citizens very rarely vote

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I know you don’t need a reminder, being sophisticated followers of the news and all, but here it is anyway. Since Donald Trump won the Electoral College vote in November, our new commander-in-chief has consistently attacked the legitimacy of popular vote … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Your periodic reminder that non-citizens very rarely vote

“Strongly held religious beliefs” do not justify discrimination

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

This is a very bad idea. Legislation that would allow county clerks in Texas to decline to issue same-sex marriage licenses if it conflicts with their religious beliefs was tentatively approved Tuesday by the Texas Senate. State Sen. Brian Birdwell, … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Let the clerks out of it

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

I approve of this. The state’s leading LGBT advocacy group has thrown its support behind a bill that would accommodate county clerks with religious objections to same-sex marriage. Under Senate Bill 911, by state Senator Joan Huffman, R-Sugar Land, marriage … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Let the clerks out of it

Rusk County Clerk sets an example

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I respect this. The Rusk County Commissioners Court on Monday formally accepted the resignation of County Clerk Joyce Lewis-Kugle, apparently the first Texas elected official to quit office rather than abide by the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage. … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

There will be more lawsuits

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The lawsuit filed in Hood County to force County Clerk Katie Lang to issue a marriage license to a same sex couple won’t be the last one like it. “We hope and expect that county clerks across Texas and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on There will be more lawsuits

Prepare for your time in the spotlight, Irion County

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It’s coming. No same-sex couples have sought a marriage license in Irion County, but if or when they do the county clerk is willing to fight it in court. County Clerk Molly Criner has vowed to stand for “natural marriage” … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Prepare for your time in the spotlight, Irion County

Federal lawsuit filed in Hood County

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you hear is the rubber meeting the road. The motion for a temporary injunction and temporary restraining order was filed this morning in Fort Worth federal court on behalf of Soifer’s clients, Jim Cato and Joe Stapleton, who’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

And the battle moves to Irion County

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

“Where the heck is Irion County?” I hear you cry. Just the home of the next County Clerk that needs to be schooled on the Constitution, and not her dime store “understanding” of it. The county clerk in tiny Irion … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here come the lawyers

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t see how the squadron of anti-equality attorneys has a case in the wake of Obergfell, but they’re gonna try their best to muck things up anyway. Now, conservative attorneys are gearing up to defend [government employees who refuse … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Paxton takes the culture-warrior lead

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Well, at least he’s found his calling in life. In the six months before Ken Paxton won election as Texas attorney general last fall, he stayed largely out of sight. Under an ethical cloud amid claims of financial fraud, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The wedding industry is rubbing its hands with glee

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Nothing like having your market dramatically expanded overnight. Within hours after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in Texas and across the country, local wedding businesses and venues already began getting orders and bookings from same-sex couples. Those in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The wedding industry is rubbing its hands with glee

Lawsuit threatened in Hood County over clerk’s refusal to issue marriage license

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

I was beginning to think that none of Texas’ 254 County Clerks were going to attempt to martyr themselves in the name of their “religious freedom” to not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. I shouldn’t have worried. Attorneys for … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On to the benefits

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Now that same sex marriage is the law of the land, Texas employers need to make sure that the spousal benefits they offer apply to all spouses. “If an employer provides benefits to anyone who is currently married, they must … Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ready to engage in the next fight

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

No rest for the righteous. On Monday, national and state gay rights leaders and the plaintiffs who sued for marriage equality convened in front of the Texas Capitol to make a different kind of vow: The fight for lesbian, gay, … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ready to engage in the next fight

More counties issuing same sex marriage licenses

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Montgomery County: Montgomery County Clerk Mark Turnbull said he turned one same-sex couple away on Friday who requested a marriage license, but wound up issuing the license after regular hours on Saturday. He initially refused because he was waiting for … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where same sex marriage is still functionally illegal in Texas

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Smith County: After a historic Supreme Court ruling, making same sex marriage legal in all fifty states, couples across the country flocked to courthouses to be legally married. Despite the ruling, an East Texas County Court will not be issuing … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

And we begin the next fight

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

It’s always going to be something. In a somber and defiant statement, Attorney General Ken Paxton proclaimed his next battlefront would be in defense of religious liberty. “The truth is that the debate over the issue of marriage has increasingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Remember, don’t rush to get married in Harris County just yet

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Harris County Clerk isn’t ready for you and won’t be for at least a little while. Should the U.S. Supreme court decide to strike down same-sex marriage bans nationwide, a decision that could come as soon as Thursday, county … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

No response necessary

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Unless it’s “We will respect and fully comply with the court’s ruling”. The U.S. Supreme Court could decide as early as this week whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. For supporters of same-sex marriage, it’s an emotional … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No special session on same sex marriage

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, wingnuts. Gov. Greg Abbott apparently really meant it when he said last week he will not call a special session of the Legislature. In an interview with San Antonio’s WOAI-AM on Monday, Abbott said calls for a session on … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t expect the Harris County Clerk to be ready for the SCOTUS same sex marriage ruling

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The Press follows up on a question that we have examined before. [Harris County Clerk Stan] Stanart isn’t planning on staying open later or doing anything to prepare to handle an influx of same-sex couples should the Supremes decide in … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Getting ready for the SCOTUS same sex marriage ruling

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Travis County is prepped and raring to go. If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples have the right to marry, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir plans to be ready. The clerk’s office, which issues and records marriage licenses … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Senate belatedly addresses one voter ID concern

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

Better really late and at least mildly coerced than never, I guess. The Texas Senate, with scant attention during an early morning vote, gave its unanimous answer to a lingering question the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals posed about … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Senate belatedly addresses one voter ID concern