Special Election Costs
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Martin Saffer
Jul 17, 2010
7:31 am
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Special Election Costs
West Virginia Dems Fret Over Special Election Cost Some West Virginia Democratic lawmakers expressed doubts Friday over the state’s plan to hold a special election in November to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Robert Byrd. Currently the state’s plan appropriates $5.9 million to pay for the cost of holding a Democratic and Republican primary election on August 28, 2010 and a special election on November 2, 2010. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx This seems to me that the Governor is so anxious to run for this seat that he/d spend a great deal of our dwindling tax money now so he doesn't have to wait. Well no matter who fills that seat, he wont be Robert C. Byrd and it will take many many years for West Virginia to regain that federal presence again.....if ever |
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freeholder
Jul 17, 2010
2:15 pm
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Re: Special Election Costs
The majority voted for Sen. Byrd : that should be acknowledged by replacing him with someone who shared his political philosophy . This is my opinion and would apply whether the deceased is republican or democrat. Appoint Byrd's successor and let the election cycle run it,s legal course. |
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Martin Saffer
Jul 19, 2010
8:15 am
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Re: Special Election Costs
West Virginia Legislature at Impasse By Tony Rutherford Huntington, WV (HNN) – After receiving two ambiguous legal interpretations of the current succession bill, Gov. Joe Manchin called the West Virginia Legislature into Special Session. He wanted potential legal arguing points clarified before an election occurred. After four days of wrangling, the legislature has deadlocked. Initially, the idea was to hold a special primary election at the end of August (paid for through state funds) and the winning Democratic and Republican candidate wo uld be added to the Nov. 2 general election. But, filling the full term of the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd has become contentious. Where initially legislators thought the governor held too much power, in a Senate version of the bill, House Republicans believe that the proposed legislation grants too much authority to Secretary of State Natalie Tennant to run the election. In addition, the GOP wanted language to allow candidates to run for two seats, i.e. allowing Rep. Shelly More Capito to run as Byrd’s replacement and still continue her house campaign. There’s another problem, too: The bill did not pass by a two-thirds super majority so it cannot take effect immediately. What now? According to the Attorney General, the Governor could call a special election to fill Byrd’s seat. Due to the legal questions, the voting results could then face a court challenge. Another possibility --- allow appointee Carte Goodwin to stay in the U.S. Senate until 2012. Although the governor would like the legislature to return Monday, July 19, and try again, the legislature recessed Sunday without taking action. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Do you get the sense that it is not about the legacy of Senator Byrd and continuing representation of West Virginia in the national agenda but rather an obvious power grab "all about the candidates" and "little to do with the State". |
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Martin Saffer
Jul 20, 2010
7:38 am
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Re: Special Election Costs
West Virginia will have its Special Election A special election will be held. That is the news out of West Virginia where state lawmakers reached a last-minute compromise on a bill allowing West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin to declare a special election. The measure was passed 83-7 by the House, and 29-0 by the Senate, and Mr. Manchin signed the bill into law almost immediately after. The bill sets up procedures for a special election for U.S. Senate this November, and also permits anyone already on the ballot from the May primary to run for special senate, as well as limiting the discretion allowed to Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, whose office oversees the special election. State lawmakers were able to pass the bill after agreeing to allow Representative Shelley Moore Capito to run for the Senate seat and for re-election to her House seat if she wants. It is thought that Mr. Manchin said he will announce his intention to seek the seat Tuesday morning. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx If the appointee, Mr. Goodwin, would remain in office until the next regular election, the state would save over FIVE MILLION dollars and those candidates who are lesser known would have an opportunity to garner support and name recognition. Manchin's early vote is costly and limits candidate selection to the lack luster cadre of "good ole boys and girls". It is politics as usual. |
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Martin Saffer
Aug 18, 2010
5:27 am
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Re: Special Election Costs
We testing the voting machines yesterday for the "Special" election fiasco that Governor Manchin has foisted on us at a cost of millions of dollars of our money so he can be elected to the Senate. We'll I think the turnout will be very poor and should send a message that this obvious exercise of political might is not bought by the voters and it will be a long time before we see the likes of Bob Byrd again. |