Updated 07/29/2010 07:41 AM
Texas senator denies voting twice in presidential election
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
News 8's Bonnie Gonzalez filed the following video report.
A news article alleged that State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Waco, voted twice in a presidential election, however Birdwell said this issue has been brought up before and was found to be false, as he claims it is today.
An article from The Texas Tribune says voting records show Birdwell voted in Tarrant County, Texas and in Prince William County, Virginia during the 2004 presidential race between John Kerry and George W. Bush.
Birdwell’s records also show that he voted in Virginia from 2004 to 2006, indicating he held residency in the state.
In a statement, Sen. Birdwell has denied the allegations.
"The truth is that, despite the implication that today’s story presents 'new' information, this false claim concerning my voting record was presented to the Texas Secretary of State nearly four months ago when my candidacy was initially challenged, then certified. The allegation was false then and it's false now," Birdwell said.
Birdwell said the confusion is the result of a name mix-up.
"The reports mention that my full name is Brian Douglas Birdwell, and my brother’s name, which appeared right after mine on the voter roll in Tarrant County, is Douglas Todd Birdwell," he said. "Because of the similarity of our names, I believe there was an incorrect coding of which brother actually voted in person in Texas on Nov. 2, 2004. My brother knows that he did vote in the general election in 2004, but the reports indicate that he did not."
"There are inaccurate news reports published today which contain false information concerning my voting record. Let me be crystal clear. I have never, ever voted twice in the same election, and that charge is particularly offensive to a soldier who holds the voting process as honored and sacred. Basically, this news story would have people believe that on Election Day in 2004, I voted in Virginia, then got on a plane and flew to Texas so I could cast a second vote for George W. Bush. I did not.
The reports mention that my full name is Brian Douglas Birdwell, and my brother’s name, which appeared right after mine on the voter roll in Tarrant County, is Douglas Todd Birdwell. Because of the similarity of our names, I believe there was an incorrect coding of which brother actually voted in person in Texas on November 2, 2004. My brother knows that he did vote in the general election in 2004 but the reports indicate that he did not.
The truth is that, despite the implication that today’s story presents ‘new’ information, this false claim concerning my voting record was presented to the Texas Secretary of State nearly four months ago when my candidacy was initially challenged, then certified. The allegation was false then and it's false now."