Republicans demand exclusive use of Denton Fire Station for Primary Election

Thursday, 04 February 2010 15:00

GOP attempts to exclude Democrats from polling locations on March 2^nd

Contrary to Texas State election laws, the Denton County Republican Party is putting the Denton Fire Department in the middle of a political power play over the use of public facilities by both major parties in the upcoming Primary Election.  The Fire Department agreed to allow both Parties the use of Station No. 4 for as a polling place on March 2^nd, yet the GOP is claiming an exclusive contract.  

“The GOP,” said Phyllis Wolper, chair of the Denton County Democratic Party,” wants to prevent our Party from using the fire station and possibly other public facilities, claiming it has exclusive rights.”  “Assuming such an exclusive clause actually exists in their contracts, according to our contacts at the Texas Secretary of State, such a demand for exclusivity would violate State law.  “Facilities supported by public money, such as schools, fire houses and public offices, cannot discriminate for or against one particular political party.  Parties have to be treated equally and fairly,” she added. That’s the starting point of democracy.” 

“The taxpayer money used by both parties to hold their primary elections comes from the Texas Secretary of State.  “We have confirmed again with the Secretary of State’s office who agrees with our position that there can not be exclusive agreements that bar the opposition Party from using the same public facility.  I sympathize with Denton Fire Department and those who run other public facilities who find themselves in the middle of a controversy that is so far outside their mission to serve the greater community,” said Wolper.