Speculation that DeLay Will Withdraw In Favor Of Write-In Candidate

Time magazine is saying this is a surprise move, but it's no surprise to observers of the political process in TX-22. Nothing surprises us. The article says he may withdraw from the ballot within a week confirming absolutely everyone's prediction who has been paying attention at all. After all, there are those enormous legal bills, the felony indictment and the assurity of censure proceedings if he regains his seat. So, how does write-in candidacy work in Texas?

First of all, according to the Secretary of State's Office, a person has to declare themselves as a write-in candidate by August 29th. For congressional office, there is a filing fee of $3125 and a requirement of 500 signautres.

The Texas Election Code spells out all the details of how things go from there, after the filing takes place. Assuming the write-in candidate is certified, the list of certified write-in candidates will be posted at the polls. Their names will NOT go on the ballot. Only write-in votes for certified write-in candidates will be counted. In other words, if you vote for Elvis as your write-in candidate, it is safe to say he wasn't certified and that vote won't be counted.

Here's the kicker. We use e-slate voting machines in Fort Bend County. That means the voter has to dial in each letter of the write-in candidate's name and then click it in.

Go and read that Time article I reference at the top of this post. There are plenty of Republicans in Texas who aren't real impressed with this write-in strategy. But, honestly, what do they have left? I mean, I think this is it.

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