DALLAS -- Winning elections in Texas sometimes isn't about who you are, but about the party you're with.

In November, Texans voted straight-party tickets in staggering numbers, once again altering the outcomes of down-ballot races that got caught up in the partisan frenzy.

The straight-ticket voting helped Democrats make gains, while securing already entrenched strongholds for Republicans.

Strategists are debating whether Democrats' straight-ticket gains resulted from excitement over President-elect Barack Obama's campaign or a better-organized party effort statewide, which could provide a springboard for the 2010 election.

But as more Texas voters opt to choose political parties instead of individual candidates, one lawmaker is trying to abolish the practice altogether.

AP photo

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain shakes hands with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama after a presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.

State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has introduced a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would end straight-ticket voting, a practice he says unfairly influences the outcome of elections.

"There are people on both tickets who you know don't belong in public office," Mr. Straus said. "That should offend open-minded people from both parties. I can't imagine an argument against this."

Opponents of Mr. Straus' bill question his motives.

"It wasn't an issue when Republicans were winning elections," said state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas. "It's worked, and it's worked for years. Look at the high voter turnout in these elections. People are engaged in the process."

Mr. Straus said he thought his bill would have traction and would soon add sponsors, including Democratic lawmakers who must contend with straight-ticket Republican voters.

But the road could be difficult.

"He has the right to file his bill," said state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. "We have the right to make sure it's defeated."

Since at least 1967, Texans have been able to vote solely along party lines, a process that allows the voter to select a political party's entire slate with one vote.

The straight-ticket process appeals to many voters because it allows them to quickly get out of polling places.

This year in Dallas County, Democratic Party Chairwoman Darlene Ewing exhorted residents to "vote D and you're done."

The mantra – perhaps in different forms – was heard by Democrats and Republicans across the state, especially in North Texas, where straight-ticket voting affected several critical races.

Dallas County saw 60 percent of its straight-ticket votes go for Democrats. In Travis County, nearly 65 percent of straight-ticket ballots went for Democrats.

In Dallas County, 289,551 voters chose the straight Democratic ballot, compared with 187,980 – 39 percent of straight-ticket voters – going Republican. Overall, 742,980 ballots were cast in the county.

The gap was narrower in 2006, when Democratic straight-ticket voters outnumbered Republican straight-ticket voters 53 percent to 46 percent. In that election, Democrats staged a shocking sweep in Dallas County, winnng every contest they entered.

The victories included County Judge Jim Foster's upset of Republican Margaret Keliher, thought by most analysts to be unbeatable.

Critics charged that Mr. Foster was not up to the task and made him a poster boy for the ills of straight-ticket voting.

Dallas County Democrats were also successful in this year's election. Their entire countywide slate cruised to victory, and Republican incumbent state Rep. Tony Goolsby lost to Democrat Carol Kent.

Demographic shifts and other political realities made this year's vote predictable, but Republicans complained about voters who cast ballots without giving any consideration to down-ballot candidates.

"It would be a good thing to get rid of straight-ticket voting," said Jonathan Neerman, Dallas County Republican Party chairman. "It forces voters to become more informed and forces candidates to go directly to voters."

But in Dallas County, the Democratic vote has been growing for at least 12 years, which suggests that the party's candidates would win elections even without straight-ticket voting.

Mr. Straus said he isn't trying to stop party loyalists from voting along party lines. They could still do that by selecting partisan choices in each race, instead of making one choice and leaving the polling place.

"I timed it," he said. "It takes two minutes. If people can't give two minutes every other year for voting, then we need to have a much more serious discussion."

"As long as we have political parties and candidates running under the banner of a political party, then it's reasonable to see straight-ticket voting as an extension of that," said Austin-based Democratic strategist Kelly Fero.

He said abolishing straight-ticket voting would have a chilling effect on the electorate, chasing away the types of people who showed up in record numbers at Texas polling places.

"It could unintentionally be another block to turnout," Mr. Fero said.

State Rep. Kirk England, D-Grand Prairie, switched parties after disagreements with House Speaker Tom Craddick. He said his victory margin in his Republican-leaning district showed that people put aside party affiliation to vote for him.

"My election showed straight-ticket voting is fine," he said. "You have to give the electorate credit. They will cross party lines."

Mr. England said he looks forward to debate on the Straus bill.

"I'm glad he filed it," Mr. England said. "It absolutely deserved discussion so voters in Texas can understand what makes the most sense."

A look at 2008 straight-ticket vote totals in some Texas counties:

Besides Texas, 15 states offer some form of straight-ticket voting:

Alabama

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Michigan

New Jersey

New Mexico

N. Carolina

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

S. Carolina

Utah

West Virginia

Wisconsin

SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures

Recent elections show the Democrats' share of straight-ticket votes in Dallas County is climbing.