By voting, citizens are participating in the democratic process. Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens’ interests. There are two special rights only for U.S. citizens: voting in an election and running for office.
If the local Republican Party is not allowing an opposing candidate to run for the office of Chair of the Republican Party (by virtue of the ruling that the opposing candidates must be voted in by two precinct chairs), Voters should and must write in the candidates they feel will get the job done. All of the local GOP precinct chairs in position were handpicked and appointed by Tisha Crow, the present chair of the local Republican Party. All of these actions are unconstitutional and can be challenged in court.
Voting, and the ability to participate in democracy, whether you are a voter or a candidate, is a racial justice issue. It is a civil rights issue. In Odessa, we are overdue for a change in the local Republican Party!
Gloria G. Apolinario
