Government Officials Voting Fraudulently: Lawmakers Breaking the Law - Texas Legislature

What would happen to you if police caught you on video fraudulently voting? Would cops quickly arrest you and throw you in jail, only to have the District Attorney immediately charge you with fraud?

What would happen to elected government officials if they were caught doing the same? Absolutely nothing?

In fact, our representatives in the U.S. government have become so brazen, that they commit fraud in plain view, on a daily basis, while at the same time trying to pass laws that would further restrict and criminalize the public for doing the same.

This is a clear sign of excessive government, when the government is so large and overwhelmingly powerful that it's agents can abuse the civilian population without any sense of guilt, remorse, or fear - when government officials deny charges of illegal conduct made against themselves as a matter of semantics, and when agents of the government expect and get immunity from any of their actions; actions that would be criminally prosecuted upon any other citizens.

The few standing up for freedom, liberty, and the Constitution, such as Congressman Ron Paul, who has been called the Thomas Jefferson of our day, are the only hope for America; the only hope for returning our empire-sized government to it's proper Constitutional levels of national defense, upholding the law, and protecting the rights of the people and individual liberties.

There's been a lot of debate at the State Capitol on bills relating to voter integrity. Some lawmakers are pushing for measures such as requiring voters to show a photo identification before being allowed to cast a ballot. Another bill would criminalize anyone who delivers a ballot for someone unable to drive to the polls. With so much emphasis on one vote for one person, you'd think lawmakers would make sure they follow the rules, too.

In this CBS 42 Investigates, Nanci Wilson found many don't. State Representative Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, authored the bill that would require voters to show a photo ID. "It's all about integrity," Riddle said. But the integrity of one person, one vote doesn't apply at the legislature. CBS 42 found many lawmakers vote more than once. During a vote, Riddle votes, turns around and votes again for another state representative. There's so much going on during the vote on the HPV vaccine mandate, you really have to pay attention. First, State Rep. Mike Hamilton is at his desk. He leans over to vote a second time for his deskmate Dan Branch. Hamilton reaches back to vote for Charlie Howard, then casts a fourth vote for Wayne Smith. He's not the only one scrambling to vote. State Rep. G.E. West and State Rep. Larry Phillips both lean over to vote for themselves and their deskmates. Phillips votes a third time for State Rep. Wayne Christian. Donna Howard votes for State Rep. Hubert Vo.

State Rep. Jim Dunnam didn't have to leave his chair to cast four votes--one for himself then for Garnet Coleman, Trey Martinez Fischer and Marc Veasey.

Sometimes the voting is across party lines. Will Hartnett, a Republican, reaches back to vote for Democrat Rene Oliveira. Democrat Jim McReynolds votes for Republican Kirk England, and Republican John Davis votes for Democrat Rick Noriega. Most voters have no way of knowing if their lawmakers are actually casting their own votes. Even though the legislature is broadcast on cable TV, the cameras change when it's time to vote. But if you're sitting in the third floor gallery, you have a better view. "I certainly noticed. There appears to be far more votes on the tick board than there were people in the room," capitol visitor Laurel Weiss said. Arnie and Laurel Weiss were baffled when they came to see the legislature in action. "It seems very inappropriate and they should do something about it," Arnie Weiss said.

Riddle says voting for other members is done out of necessity. "We have a lot of amendments," Riddle said. "We don't have lunch breaks, dinner breaks, restroom breaks." Necessity or not, one thing is clear, they aren't supposed to be doing it. According to the official House rules--written, voted and approved by lawmakers at the beginning of the session--"Any member found guilty by the House of knowingly voting for another member on the voting machine shall be subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the House."

So, should lawmakers do it? "No, there's no question," Weiss said. "On face value it appears to be a blatant violation, an affront, of their own rules." It is against their own rules. But the issue is with enforcement. It is the speaker's job to make sure rules are followed. When CBS 42 asked Speaker of the House Tom Craddick's spokesperson about it, she just shrugged her shoulders and said it was up to the House members to decide what do to if there's a violation. Although the practice is widespread, CBS 42 couldn't find any instances of lawmakers being disciplined for voting more than once.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• texas
• legislature
• election
• 2008
• voter
• fraudulent
• voting
• ron
• paul
• john
• mccain
• barack
• obama
• lawmakers
• police
• abuse
• cops

[juliepartainmar]

Everyone knows that there is no such thing as government anywhere on earth being fair. They (government officials....ALL) are above the laws they are making us adhere to. They say they have no lunch breaks, no bathroom breaks, no breaks.... LIARS ALL of them. But what's to stop them from lying, cheating, breaking laws and doing whatever the hell they want?! NOTHING can stop them. They (government) can do whatever they want whenever they want to whomever they want without fear of recrimination.

[Acrinimiril]

These traitors can easily be stopped by the people. They're extremely outnumbered.

We need to work together and stop falling into the trap of letting these corrupt bankers, government officials, and media corporations divide us up into religious, racial, and political groups.

We're all Americans, and our Constitution protects all of our rights equally. If we all work together to ensure our law is upheld, and our liberties are protected, then they will be.

[MHoffp57]

pmdryd - You are correct, a wireless voting system would be nice, and in fact it was brought up before the legislation. They decided that they massive expense to the tax payers wouldn't be worth it. - This video shows the voting method that has been used for over 80 years. Pre arrangements with their neighbors to help them vote while they are away.

[Acrinimiril]

No excuses.

In the video we see legislators racing to place votes at the same desks.

Even if one of them were designated to place a vote in someone's absence, against the House's own rules, then why are several of them racing to do it?

I call bull.

[MHoffp57]

What this video did NOT say is that each voting box has a KEY that can be locked if they don't want their neighbor to help vote for them... and that there are TWO methods of correcting a wrong vote. One with the clerk and also by calling for a recount. This video is just political spin. They are not stealing votes in this video.

[Acrinimiril]

House Rules Section 47. Voting for Another Member

Any member found guilty by the house of knowingly voting for another member on the voting machine shall be subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the house.

[libertylouis]

PLEASE UNDERSTAND - This is NOT just in TEXAS! It's EVERYWHERE - YOUR state TOO! Go see for yourself. I have in Baton rouge Louisiana. Thye also walk around like you kids having fun in daycare, laughing, telling jokes, etc. But if a Group like a Tea Party is there, they pay attention more. More people that DON'T WORK need to show up, get to know them, get to know the SYSTEM and Watch them, then REPORT or better yet, call them out on it with the SPEAKER on the FLOOR!

[eyemagistus]

This story is over 4 years old! It happens in legislatures everywhere. As much as I despise Texas, I really don't see the problem. Members hear from constituents and lobbyists when they vote the wrong way. If they found out someone voted they sit next to was stupid enough to vote the wrong way there would be open brawls and worse on the floor. Another example of clueless, lazy journalists.

[Strome88]

No time for dinner, supper, having a drink or taking a crap but they do have time running all over the floor to cast votes for other people who are not even present. Do these ppl think all this is a fucking joke? Fucking leeches fire them all and replace them with more responsible people who doesn't cheat the system and the american people.

[Apparoid]

Pathetic. These people all belong in JAIL or worse! People of Texas should demand that these people be arrested.

[matute11]

Excellent idea!! My thoughts exactly....

[matute11]

Hang them all or bullet in the head then they wont be hungry!!!

[teganyavo]

Our Constitution is just a piece of paper. See: the Game of Thrones episode where Cersei tears up the edict making Eddard the Regent, and then throws him in jail

[beecoz3001]

"It's not the votes that count, it's who counts the votes."

-- Josef Stalin --

[cshiroky]

No bathroom breaks? Oh so sad, legistlators, try having to watch students and not leave your room for the bathroom