Lightdemon

This video has been going around for a while now, but I haven't seen it in these boards yet. So I thought I'd share.


[YOUTUBE]eG6X-xtVask[/YOUTUBE]


It's kind of funny because it starts off with Debbie Riddle, the author of a peice of legislation that enforces the notion of one person one vote:



"It's all about integrity" she said.

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Stinger

Do the rules of the body allow proxy voting?

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RightinNYC

Why is this a problem?

Current election law allows proxy voting in all elections, so why shouldn't legislators be allowed to do the same thing?

It's not at all analogous to someone using false ID to cast votes for other persons fraudulently, though I'm not surprised some newscasters couldn't figure that out.

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Stinger

I assume they are all voting for the partisan co-congress members with their permission. If they are stealing someones vote that would be pretty apparent and I'd think they'd pass a house rule to prevent it and sanction anyone who did.

Lightdemon

If you even have to ask why, then you obviously didn't watch the entire video. Because towards the end, it did mention:

"The House Rules says that - Any member found guilty by the House knowingly voting for another member on the voting machine shall be subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the House."

Obviously voting for another house member is not the correct protocol, yet it isn't a standard procedure?

So you didn't really watch the whole thing, or were you just not paying attention? Because apparently you didn't notice that there actually IS a house rule to prevent legislators from voting more than once. It's all about integrity afterall, right?

Stinger

It's a session by session house rule and the S@A says it's up to them if they want to enforce it and it is widely ignored.

"
It is against their own rules. But the issue is with enforcement. It is the speaker’s job to make sure rules are followed. When CBS 42 asked Speaker of the House Tom Craddick’s spokesperson about it, she just shrugged her shoulders and said it was up to the House members to decide what do to if there's a violation.
Although the practice is widespread, CBS 42 couldn't find any instances of lawmakers being disciplined for voting more than once.
Statement from Alexis DeLee, Spokesperson for House Speaker, Tom Craddick.
"Since the membership has adopted the requirement for a record vote on 3rd reading, it is probable that members may vote for other members when they leave the floor to eat, meet with constituents or go to the restroom. Like many House rules dealing with the interactions between members, we leave the enforcement of the rules to the good judgment of the members. Members shouldn't be voting for members who aren't here, but if they do, everyone has the right to ask for a verification vote. A member may always lock their voting machine and take their key when they are off the floor so they may not be voted in their absence. When a verification is called and a member is not found, the House Sergeant's office locks their machine and takes their key. When strict enforcement is asked for by a house member, the Speaker allows each member time to get to their desk to vote.""

So what's the story here?

RightinNYC

Yea, and the discipline that has been deemed appropriate is nothing. Its a law like the flag code - just window dressing.

Lightdemon

So what both of you are telling me is that the rules can be broken with no consequences for the rule breakers?

And you're asking me what the problem is?

RightinNYC

If the rules aren't really rules, then yea.

I break the law against jaywalking at least 6 times a day. Is it really breaking the law?

Stinger

If the rule makers say so.

Yes what is the problem if the rule makers decide not to enforce the rule on some votes?