blog148639792322912://

HAA Newsletter - Oct 26, 2018 - 1. You Do Need to Vote - 2. Reporting Voting Discrepancies

Yes!
You Do Need to Vote on Annexation Proposition

Q:  The letter I received from San Antonio regarding the Special Election for the Annexation Proposition indicates that….
“Leaving the ballot blank or voting for both Option 1 and 2 will result in authorization of Option 2.”
Does that mean that I don’t have to vote for the Annexation Proposition?  

A:  It is imperative that everyone in the annexation areas go to the poll and vote AND select Option 2, No Annexation.  If you leave this Annexation Proposition blank or if you mark both options, your vote will not count.  

Recently, the Attorney General, Ken Paxton, responded to Sen. Donna Campbell’s request regarding the statement made on the letter from the City of San Antonio that states….”Leaving the ballot blank or voting for both Option 1 and 2 will result in authorization of Option 2”.
The AG responded with Opinion No. KP-0221, October 22, 2018 as follows:
In the instance of an unmarked or blank ballot, the voter might have intended to signal to the City that the voter opposed either type of regulation, might have misunderstood the instructions, or might have simply neglected to mark a choice. In either instance, it is impossible for the counting officials to clearly ascertain the voter's intent, much less a clear intent to vote for Option 2.
Election Code section 65.009 provides that a vote for a measure shall be counted if the voter's intent is clearly ascertainable. The City's plan to count ballots voting for both propositions or left blank as a vote in favor of Option 2 is contrary to this provision because such ballots do not indicate a clearly ascertainable intent for Option 2.

****************************************************

 Voting Discrepancies

We've had several reports of ballots missing the annexation proposition, so please be vigilant!

FIRST STEP:

Confirm that you are in the proposed annexation area by using the City of San Antonio maps linked below:

SECOND STEP:

The polling clerk must confirm that your ballot has the Proposition A (Annexation Proposition).  Tell the polling clerk that it will be the very last item on the ballot and is called Proposition A (Annexation Proposition).  (See sample ballot for details.)

THIRD STEP:

Refuse the ballot if the Annexation Proposition is not on the ballot.  If the proposition does NOT appear on your ballot, let your on-site election officials know immediately.  They can work with you to give you a new correct ballot with the proposition on it.

FOURTH STEP:

You should report any discrepancies to the Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacquelyn F. Callanen at 210-335-8683 (VOTE) if she was not already notified during the ballot exchange process. Get the name of the polling clerk and report any problems you encounter on the online HAA Incident Report!  HAA now has a Voting Incident Reporting form linked on our website, and you can also fill it out HERE.  

You can also review your rights as a voter in Texas at https://www.votetexas.gov/your-rights/ and either call the number on that page and/or go to the Federal Department of Justice website (https://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php) if you would like to file a formal complaint.


And remember to select OPTION 2 - NO ANNEXATION!

URGENT CALL FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TWO OPTIONS OF THE SAN ANTONIO ANNEXATION VOTE

It pains me to see money go to fight something that is clearly illegal.  I would rather help those in need.  Unfortunately, the City of San Antonio has misled voters in clear violation of Title 5, Chapter 52 (52.072 & 52.073) of the Texas Elections Code.

Early voting has started but we don't want annexation: to pay 23% more in taxes or change our emergency services.  Even with Option 2 (No Annexation with land use controls as stated in the Joint Land Use Study) we have issues with the language giving the City of San Antonio the authority to impose charges without knowing just what or how much they would be.  Therefore, we have taken the bold step to challenge the City on the ballot language.  We have filed an emergency writ of mandamus with the Texas Supreme Court (18-1007).  The goal is to have the ballot language changed to be in compliance with state election law and to clarify what authority this vote provides the City.

We need to pay for these legal fees and could use any donation you could make.  How about a contribution of $25?   What about $100?  Or contribute one year of tax savings from not being annexed.  Remember that is a 23% increase in your property tax.

Whatever you can support is appreciated.  A handful of residents stepped up to file suit to get this ball rolling and we need to do all we can to stand up for our rights.

Donate here https://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/p/donate.html  and simply mark 'for litigation' in the comments field.


Sincerely,
MichaelPStewart_Signature.png
Michael "Mike" P. Stewart
President, Homeowners Against Annexation

Early Voting Starts Today - Vote NO ANNEXATION

The polls open today, and thanks to the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act, we can now tell the City of San Antonio that we do NOT want to be annexed!  Below is a list of early voting locations, as well as several links with important information.

Vote OPTION 2 - NO ANNEXATION!



Bexar County Elections Department
Use this site to check if you are registered, find polling locations by your address, and view a map of the early vote locations.

Generic Sample Ballot
View a sample ballot, including the annexation proposition - Proposition A: Camp Bullis.  It is the last proposition on the ballot, and you want to vote OPTION 2 to vote NO ANNEXATION.  Make sure your ballot contains this proposition when you go to vote!


Includes what to bring when you vote, as well as info on free or discounted rides to polling places.

And many thanks to Lyle Larson for his timely newsletter this morning encouraging us all to vote OPTION 2 to vote NO ANNEXATION!

Newsletter - Homeowners Against Annexation - Oct 16, 2018

We are coming down the home stretch.  November 6 is right around the corner.  “No Annexation” yard signs and banners are all around us reminding us of this very important responsibility….
Vote NO Annexation: OPTION 2

What have we done so far…..

  • The outreach for our NO ANNEXATION message has been amazing with the distribution of signage, presentations at HOA meetings, reminders on social media forums, etc.  Yard signs are no longer available!  That’s a good thing...it means people are spreading the word.

  • Mailers are being sent to key target areas.  “Talking points” are available below as URGENT MESSAGE from HOMEOWNERS AGAINST ANNEXATION for anyone who would like to print it out and take it on block walks, hand out to anyone who may not have a good understanding of why we don’t want to be annexed.

  • Several highly motivated and committed residents of our community have taken the bold step to challenge the City of San Antonio with a lawsuit that seeks to clarify the ballot content or eliminate the ballot altogether. This legal challenge is an expensive endeavor but, if won, will be a big win for “we the people”.  It will also give us an opportunity at the next regular legislative session to try to change the Texas Annexation Reform Act to allow the county to govern us, as is appropriate, rather than the municipality, as is currently stated in the law.

Legal costs for the lawsuit are in the $25,000 range.  If you feel strongly about your right to fair and accurate voting and would like to contribute to the lawsuit, you can contribute by sending a check payable to: Leeser Law (please indicate on check memo “Annexation”) directly to:

Leeser Law
9800 Lorene Lane
San Antonio, TX 78216


What more can we do:

  • Talk to your neighbors at every opportunity.  Let them know about the Annexation proposal and the reasons why we must Vote NO! (Talking points below)

  • Vote….Vote…..Vote!

  • When you vote, be sure to receive a ballot with the Annexation Proposal.  If the ballot does not contain the Annexation Proposal, advise the poll worker that you live in the area targeted for annexation and have the right to vote on the Annexation Proposal.

  • Early voting starts Oct 22 and ends Nov 2 at any Early Voting Precinct.

  • Vote by Mail Ballot:  Requires two (2) Forever stamps and must be at Bexar County Elections Administration by 7:00 pm on November 6.

  • Anyone whose voter registration address is in the annexation area should be allowed to vote on the Annexation Proposal.

  • Donations are the fuel that powers our grassroots efforts to continue the fight against annexation.  https://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/p/donate.html

Important Links:



**************************************************************************
************* Feel Free to Copy and Print the Following Talking Points **************
**************************************************************************


URGENT MESSAGE

from HOMEOWNERS AGAINST ANNEXATION


Q:  The City of San Antonio wants to annex the area in which I live.  Do I want to be annexed?

A:   There are many reasons why you should NOT want to be annexed.  The 3 biggest reasons are:
  • The property taxes you pay on your home could increase by approximately 23%.
    • Ex: Current property taxes of $7,000/yr would increase to approximately $8,610/yr.
    • If you are a renter, those increased property taxes could likely be passed on to you as increased rent.

  • If annexed, you, as a San Antonio resident, would share in their massive debt, which could mean higher taxes in the future.

  • If annexed, San Antonio will enforce many more ordinances and regulations beyond those of protecting the military bases.  If you are NOT annexed, only those regulations outlined in the Joint Land Use Study will be enforced (lighting and land use, such as new development and new building).
Q:  What can I do to NOT be annexed by San Antonio?

A:  In order to NOT be annexed……
  • Vote!...This November 6th election, there will be an Annexation Proposal on the ballot which will require you to vote on whether or not you want to be annexed by San Antonio.  Remember, if you do NOT want to risk having higher property taxes, higher rents and enforcement of many more city ordinances, then VOTE NO ANNEXATION; OPTION 2

  • Take advantage of early voting.  Early voting dates start Oct. 22 and end Nov 2 and can be done at any early voting precinct.

  • Get more information at:  www.HomeownersAgainstAnnexation.com

A vote for OPTION 2 means you do NOT want to be annexed.
See you at the voting booth!

Sincerely,
MichaelPStewart_Signature.png
Michael "Mike" P. Stewart
President, Homeowners Against Annexation