Thanks Sarah

Dear Editor,
    In the recent legislative session, many bills were filed that threatened voter choice.  Examples include:
     SB 994 forces all candidates to pay filing fees for primaries. Small parties have conventions, in which the party covers the nomination cost. Republicans want to force payment of fees to general revenue. The clear intent is a barrier to entry. This bill passed.
    SB 1660: A party remains on the ballot if a statewide candidate gets 2%. This bill increased that requirement from 2% to 10%. The clear intent of this bill was to remove parties from the ballot. Despite petition drives and election results confirming Texas voters want choice, this bill wanted to remove that choice.
    SB 1705 prohibited small parties from using conventions, forcing them into primaries. This is a choice to become instantly big or go out of business. The cost to taxpayers of adding these primary elections was estimated to be about $40 million.
    SB 2532 increased fees and petition requirements to file for office. The requirements are already a big burden, so the only motivation here was to limit choices. This only makes sense if you think that a ballot with more than two candidates is crowded.
    Article 4 section 4 of the United States constitution requires states to have a republican form of government. Apparently, Republican legislators think they are required to impose a Republican Party form of government.  
    Senator Eckhardt consistently and earnestly defended voters against these efforts to restrict choice. I deeply appreciate her efforts.