I just watched the coverage of the Texas Congressional District 31 race on PBS's NOW, and it was quite impressive. A great example of how journalism with a viewpoint (make no mistake – any program founded by Bill Moyers is gonna be liberal) can still be evenhanded and not manipulative (see my complaints about HBO's Hacking Democracy).

"We're talking not so much about an election anymore, we're talking about an intervention. We're talking about getting these people to recognize reality." – Conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan, on PBS's NOW, about why he'll be voting Democrat on Tuesday

The federal court preliminary injunction barring Greg Abbott from prosecuting individuals found in possession of the mail-in ballot of another, but with the consent of that voter, has been lifted. The case was brought by the Democratic Party and other Texans, arguing that the law was overbroad and that Abbott was overzealously prosecuting people who were simply taking ballots to the post office for the elderly. Abbott contends he is cracking down on voter fraud by strictly enforcing the 2003 law.

In the past few days, we've received e-mails letting us know that former NATO General Wesley Clark is making a push for Texas Democrats, endorsing Mary Beth Harrell (Congressional District 31), Ted Ankrum (CD 10), John Courage (CD 21), and Chris Bell (governor). Just in case you were wanting his recommendation.

A by-no-means-comprehensive sampling of upcoming election related events (not including candidate election night parties, which we'll post on election morning).

Ted Ankrum House Party (Candidate for Congressional District 10)
TIME: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1:30pm-3:30pm
PLACE: Home of Walt & Aletha Snowden, 2705 Kerrybrook

Tejano Blues (A Democratic concert and rally)
When: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7pm
Where: The Victory Grill, 1104 E. 11th
Who: Cyril Neville & Tribe 13, Omerta Ignored, and the Blues Specialists; Democratic candidates including gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell
How much: Free, but BYOB

(More events behind the "continue reading" link)

Crowds are decidedly mixed on this, the last day of early voting. At the Fiesta along I-35, and at the Pleasant Valley Albertsons, there's currently little or no lines. Elsewhere, at the HEB located on East Seventh Street, and Randalls on Ben White, anywhere from 25 to 70 people have been spotted in line.

As crowds will probably get worse when people get off work, you know what to do: Go vote now. Most polls close at 7pm, although Northcross and Highland Malls and Austin Public Library's Howson Branch are to be open until 8pm. For more information on early voting locations, visit the Chronicle's voting information page.

As we previously mentioned, the PBS newsmagazine NOW will put the microscope on Texas Congressional District 31 (which stretches from far north Austin, through Fort Hood, and up to Erath County) as a study of how the war in Iraq is affecting this year's election. Dist. 31 pits Democratic challenger Mary Beth Harrell, a military wife and mother of two active soldiers, including one in Iraq, against incumbent Republican John Carter, a staunch supporter of the war and President Bush. Here in Austin, NOW airs at 7:30pm on KLRU.

Lots of exposure for independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman today. At 8:30pm, he sits down for a chat with Evan Smith on KLRU's 'Texas Monthly' Talks, and at 10:35 he will appear on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS. Kinky was already making the TV rounds in New York this morning with an interview on MSNBC.

Also on KLRU, at 8pm Austin Now will profile three local political activists an issues facing the voters, and Austin Mayor Will Wynn will be interviewed concerning the municipal bond vote that is also on the ballot. And of course, old PBS standbys The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer (6pm) and Washington Week (7pm) will be loaded with election news.

Okay, I'll get my criticisms out of the way first: Those who watched Hacking Democracy last night got equal parts journalism and activist propaganda in the HBO documentary on the dangers of electronic voting machines. Now, far be it from me to dismiss journalism with a viewpoint – obviously, that is The Austin Chronicle's bread and butter. But still, I felt manipulated. Bev Harris and her cohorts are portayed as noble knights who have never made a mistake; I would like to have seen the instances when she went to an elections administrator or corporate voting machine executive and said "Gotcha!" and then, when shown an error in her logic, she said "Oh. I see. Sorry." Having done some investigative journalism myself, I've had the occasional moment like that. And maybe it just bugs me because I'm a print media guy, but I could have done without the Da Vinci Code-esque music intended to get my pulse racing. Nevertheless …

Okay, you just lost your last excuse for not voting. Capital Metro says:

"AUSTIN, Texas, November 3, 2006 – Central Texas voters will have an easy option for getting to the polls on Election Day. Capital Metro will offer free rides on all bus routes on Tuesday, November 7. 'We are proud to offer Central Texas citizens a convenient transportation option on Election Day,' said Capital Metro President/CEO Fred Gilliam. Destination signs on all buses will include a message about the free rides as a reminder to passengers. Customers can plan their route to the polls using Capital Metro’s convenient online trip planner at www.capmetro.org, or by calling (512) 474-1200."