Progressive Populist Caucus Co-Founder and Attorney-General candidate David Van Os followed up on remarks before the General Caucus and, along with Steering Committee Member Sonia Santana, filed a lawsuit to block further unconstitutional use of direct-recording electronic voting machines and procedures. Please read these petitions. They are not long and easy enough for any member to understand.

The machines and procedures immediately in question -- Hart InterCivics <eSlates> are the most widely used in Texas. They have been the subject of numerous complaints by PPC members and a few party officials but have not yet become as notorious as machines from Diebold or ES&S, also "certified" by the Secretary of State and involved in recounts and contests in both parties all across Texas.

The recount problems noted in the suit were also the subject of litigation discussed in the General Caucus by Larry Veselka. The unresolved recounts are devastating to Democratic participation and voter morale.

Democrats in Harris County, including Gerry Birnberg, County Chairman, James Goodwille Pierre, candidate for County Clerk, and others have also seen an urgent need for the sort of injunctive relief requested by the plaintiffs.

John Robert BEHRMAN, Executive Vice-Chair of the Progressive Populist Caucus, said, ...

"For me, the most surprising and important aspect of this lawsuit is direct application of our state constitution. Do they even read the constitution up in the capitol any more? "

"The people and parties conduct elections. They are a check, the ultimate peaceful check, on government. The lawmakers' and the bureaucrats' lack of respect for our constitution are a gross insult to both parties and to the people."

"There is no underestimating the gravity of this matter: Some of us send our children to war in order to uphold our constitution. These two-bit peddlers and bureaucrats should not trifle with it, but they have!"