As we celebrate Texas Independence Day, I need to inform you of the status of the latest in a House election contest that has dealt with one of the most fundamental rights we have to preserve the freedom that Texans and Tejanos fought and died for 175 years ago- the right to vote. The Select Committee on Election Contest in the Texas House of Representatives received verbal and written testimony last week from Special Master Will Hartnett as it related to his findings for the election contest in House District 48.

The Committee has now asked for both candidates involved to submit legal briefs by March 8, 2011. Oral arguments from attorneys representing each candidate will be presented in a public hearing on March 15, 2011. Following these arguments, the Committee will immediately recess into an executive session during which time members of the Committee will deliberate the information and arguments presented. Upon conclusion of the execution session, the Committee will reconvene for a vote.

Master Hartnett noted in his testimony that Dan Neil’s campaign has gone from a margin of 12 votes to a margin of 4. There are at least 6 votes in dispute that the Committee must review.

Help support the Neil campaign by visiting Dan’s website and making a contribution!

The Committee also has several important issues to review with regard to statements of residence and federal postcard applications. It is important that we make sure that all legal votes are counted in this election and in future elections. Dan’s attorneys will file a brief on those issues for the Committee to consider with the firm conviction that the law is on our side on both these important issues.

We are hopeful that on March 15th Dan Neil will be declared the winner or a new election will be called. Those are the only two options the Committee can reach based on the evidence that has been presented and argued. This race is not over.

I am now asking you one more time to help us keep fighting back, so that we know all legal votes were counted properly. It is important to ask yourself this question: If Voter ID had been in place in Travis County, would Dan have already been elected to the Texas House of Representatives today?

Thank you for your support and contribution to this effort.

Sincerely,
Steve Munisteri