Independent Texans

Independent Texans is a political reform movement in the U.S. state of Texas that strives to give more political power to the general public by gaining recognition for a growing movement of people who self-identify as “independent” with a small "I". According to a Wall Street Journal poll in 2006, a 42% plurality of American voters now identify as independent. That represents well over 4 million voters in Texas. However, without partisan registration in Texas, there is no way of knowing exactly how many Texans identify as independent without a Texas poll.

Independent voters span the political spectrum on single issues, but are unified in their support for fundamental political reforms that seek to return government at all levels to the people, rather than special interests.Fact|date=June 2008 It is not associated with the Independent Party – there is no such entity in all 50 states. Third parties, such as the Libertarian, Green, Constitution and others are considered as parties of the “independent movement”, but represent a very small segment of these voters.

Goals

The Independent Texans' goals include: (Details can be found at http://indytexans.org/politicallreform.)

# State-wide Initiative, Referendum and Recall, giving voters the right to petition to place issues on the ballot for a vote of the people and to recall elected officials. These reforms are enjoyed in 24 other states, but not in Texas at the state-wide or county-wide level. Texans do have this right at the municipal level.
# Redistricting reform through a non-partisan independent citizen’s commission. The states of Arizona and Iowa enjoy different forms of non-partisan redistricting and many states are moving towards this goal.
# Fair ballot access for independent candidates and parties. Texas is one of the most difficult states in the country for state-wide ballot access for third parties and independent candidates. This garnered massive media coverage during the raucous 2006 Gubernatorial race where two independents were running (former Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman).
# Verifiable elections, particularly with electronic voting. There is a growing consensus that all states need to return to the paper ballot.
# Fair and open debates where candidates from other than the Republican and Democratic Parties will participate in debates.
# Instant Runoff Voting or Approval Voting to eliminate the so-called "spoiler factor" of independent candidacies.
# Allow citizens to register and vote on Election Day, aka "same day voter registration".
# Term Limits for elected officials.

Activities

Independent Texans' activities include:

# Recruiting, developing and supporting natural independent leaders in Texas communities to run for office.
# Keeping members informed about political actions that will affect them and organizing efforts to counter any political action that will negatively affect them. An example in 2006 and 2007 is the successful (yet ongoing) fight against privatization of roads in Texas and the mammoth Trans-Texas Corridor. (See http://corridorwatch.org/ for more information).
# Providing independent analysis of issues. The analysts and writers are not under the influence of any special interest or political party.

The organization may be unique in that it does not collect dues, but relies heavily on volunteer efforts of and contributions from its members. Members include people who may vote in either party primary or identify with the smaller parties, but who believe that the political system should be more open to independent voters and candidates.

Independent Texans was formed in 2001 by its Executive Director, Linda Curtis. Ms. Curtis brought to the group extensive reform political experience from presidential campaigns of Dr. Lenora Fulani in 1988 and Ross Perot in 1996, and working for a plethora of candidates and issues over the last 27 years.

References

* [http://www.indytexans.org/ Independent Texans official website]