>Peter,
>
>No I can't, but if you really want it just research Texas recent law changes on the Internet. Everytime anyone compares Texas hand count law with Florida's lawyers that have compared the two say that the two do not compare at all. One has to do with recounting before any other totals are known and so has rules that would make cheating difficult, etc.
>
>Believe me, if the media could pin Bush with any contradiction in his actions they would in spades. They are spending all their energy on it. ie Broward protests are being bussed in and paid by Republicans. Another bald faced lie.
>
>Enjoy the election, we should know a lot more sunday at 5pm.
>
>tv

Terry, I took your advice and looked up the Texas statute (see below).

It looks pretty black and white to me: you can count "indentations" in punch card ballots or anything else that shows a "clearly ascertainable intent of the voter".

Everything that I have heard described in Florida would pass under this statute.

Peter




§ 127.130. Manual Counting
(a) Electronic system ballots that are not to be counted automatically and the write-in votes not counted at the polling places shall be counted manually at the central counting station.
(b) If the automatic counting of electronic system ballots becomes impracticable for any reason, the manager may direct that the ballots be counted manually at the central counting station.
(c) The procedure for manual counting is the same as that for regular paper ballots to the extent practicable. The manager is responsible for the manual counting of ballots at the central counting station.
(d) Subject to Subsection (e), in any manual count conducted under this code, a vote on a ballot on which a voter indicates a vote by punching a hole in the ballot may not be counted unless:
(1) at least two corners of the chad are detached;
(2) light is visible through the hole;
(3) an indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote; or
(4) the chad reflects by other means a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote.
(e) Subsection (d) does not supersede any clearly ascertainable intent of the voter.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 728, § 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.