Press Releases

The following training classes and lab sessions have been setup to ensure that all Election Judges and Election Clerks are familiar with all laws, rules, and procedures in running the Democratic and Republican Primary Elections on March 2, 2010. We greatly encourage all Election Judges and Election Clerks to attend at least one of these Training Sessions and Labs before March 2. We recommend that Judges/Clerks attend a Party-sponsored training session on how to conduct a Precinct Convention, which will follow immediately after Election Judge training at the 12:30 Session @ George Allen Sr. Courthouse.  This is the only date/time this training will be available.

• Monday, February 15, 2010                          6:00pm – 9:00pm
• Saturday, February 20, 2010                        9:00am – 5:00pm
• Tuesday, February 23, 2010                         9:00am – 9:00pm
• Friday, February 26, 2010                              9:00am – 9:00pm
• Monday, March 1, 2010                                 10:00am – 2:00pm  

Join us for a Webinar on February 23 regarding 2010 Precinct Convention Training.  Precinct Conventions (or Caucus) will be held at each Polling Location on March 2 at 7:15pm. 

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/786343322

This webinar will cover the basics of the Precinct Convention process.

Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Time: 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM CST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. Read more »

Judge Susan Hawk’s ATLAS Mental Health Divert Court: University of North Texas Study shows 70% percent reduction in new arrests for habitual mentally ill offenders.

The rate of mental illness in the criminal justice system is three times higher than in the general population and they are twice as likely to fail on probation as non-mentally ill offenders. Recognizing the magnitude of this problem Judge Susan Hawk, who presides over the 291st Criminal al District Court, created the ATLAS Mental Health Divert Court for habitual felony offenders and it is the first of its kind in Texas. Aside from her regular judicial duties, this program only exists due to Judge Hawk’s relentless efforts with grants provided by the State of Texas and is not jurisdictional with the Court.

A recent study just completed by Dr. Richard Rogers and Chelsea Fiduccia from the University of North Texas showed that Judge Hawk’s felony mental health court reduced new arrests for the court’s participants by 70% and reduced overall recidivism (re-incarceration in state jail or prison) by over 67% relative to mentally ill felony offenders with comparable backgrounds and risk levels who did not participate in the program. Judge Hawk’s court has provided mentally ill offenders, their families, and the community a path to stop the revolving door of mentally ill offenders in the criminal justice system. Even better, the court has increased public safety by reducing new arrests rates and saving the tax payers millions of dollars in incarceration costs. Since its inception, Judge Hawk’s mental health court has served over 400 participants resulting in a savings of $5,123,470 in incarceration costs. Read more »

Judge Greenberg Presides over County Court at Law 5 

DALLAS, Feb. 1, 2010 – Judge Mark Greenberg, Democratic incumbent Judge of County Court at Law 5, one of Dallas County’s civil courts, will be honored with the DFW Inter Ministerial Alliance Civic Award on Friday at the organization’s Annual Banquet.  Judge Greenberg has a long track record of community service spanning his entire legal career.  He has been particularly dedicated to mentoring young attorneys and to supporting volunteer attorney programs.

“I am a passionate student of the law, and it makes me feel more connected to my profession and to others to nurture younger attorneys and also to think outside the box in order to assist those who need legal help the most,” said Judge Greenberg. Read more »

January 20th marks one full year since Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  While a candidate, President Obama asked us to believe.  We did and as a result we have the chance to transform America.  So - what exactly has been accomplished in the past year.  Here are 100 acts that have occurred since Barack Obama was sworn in as President.  Take a look --- Read more »

 The special election to fill the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat is this Tuesday, January 19.  On Monday and Tuesday, volunteers will be phonebanking from Dallas County Democratic Party headquarters (4209 Parry) to voters in Massachusetts.  We'll be  encouraging them to vote for Democrat Martha Coakley and making sure everyone knows where their polling place is.  Phonebanks will run continuously from 10-8 on Monday and from 10-6:30 on Tuesday.  

The Filing Period for the 2010 Election has closed.  The below link provides a list of candidates that have stepped forward to run on the Democratic ticket for elected office. The elected offices below are ones whose district is within or contains Dallas County. We greatly encourage you to visit their campaign website to make an informed decision about your vote in the Democratic Primary on March 2nd, 2010.

http://www.dallasdemocrats.org/election/2010/candidates

We greatly appreciate the hard work and sacrifice that each of these candidates give in running for office.

• New Voter Registration ends on February 1st. 
• Early Vote begins February 16th. 
• Primary Election Day is March 2nd.