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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Libertarians to Testify Against Primary Screenout
AUSTIN - April 3, 2007 - Pat Dixon, chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas (LPT), will testify before the Texas House Elections Committee tomorrow, April 4, on Representative Mark Strama's ballot access bill (HB 2280).
The committee hearing is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm in the Capitol Extension, room E2.028.
The bill would remove the current restriction that prevents Democratic and Republican primary voters from signing petitions to allow other parties to appear on the ballot. The bill has been coauthored by Representatives Dan Branch, Donna Howard, and Mike Villarreal.
Texas is the only state with this "primary screenout" restriction.
Individuals representing the Green Party and Constitution Party are also expected to testify at the hearing.
"Currently, primary voters are prevented from expressing their desire to see more choices on the ballot," said Dixon. "Primary screenout is unfair to primary voters, and it is unfair to new parties who want to compete on a level playing field. Having more choices is good for the electoral process."
Elections Committee chair Leo Berman had originally refused to give the bill a hearing, but changed his mind recently.
More information on the LPT's position:
http://www.lptexas.org/Screenout.html
More information on HB 2280:
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB2280
Contact:
Pat Dixon, LPT chair
512-771-3936
chair@lptexas.org
Contact:
Wes Benedict, LPT Executive Director
512-442-4910
director@lptexas.org
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