Texas Has a Long-awaited Chance to Deliver a Knockout Blow to One-punch, Straight-ticket Voting

Not all Republicans or all Democrats think alike, nor are all candidates equally qualified for office. Yet, when a voter casts a one-punch, straight-ticket vote that is the message they send.We hope this problematic practice is about to end. The Texas House on Saturday approved House Bill 25 by an 88-57 margin to require voters to consider each race on the ballot independently and not vote straight party lines with a single swipe. Kudos to the measure's sponsor, Republican state Rep. Ron Simmons of Carrollton, and to House Speaker Joe Straus, for principled leadership in getting the bill this far. We urge the Senate to take up this measure quickly before this legislative session ends.  Continue reading...