Within the next seven days, the Minnesota Democratic Party must name the person whose name will appear on the ballot instead of Wellstone’s. State law requires that new special ballots be printed and that the candidates’ names on the regular ballot be blotted out.
Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch, a Democrat, told reporters Friday that Wellstone’s name
“will not be on the general election ballot” since it will be blotted out. “It is to the advantage of the Democratic Party, or for any political party in this circumstance, to nominate (a replacement) as soon as possible,” Hatch said, adding that next Thursday would be the last day the party could pick a new candidate and still be able to get his or her name on absentee ballots that will be mailed to voters who can’t get to the polls.
Hatch also said if the Minnesota Democratic Party simply does nothing, Wellstone still cannot be elected posthumously. According to Republican campaign election lawyer Craig Engle, the Democrats could not place Wellstone’s name on the new ballot because he is dead and thus ineligible to hold office.
You are anticipating a huge write in campaign? The Dems must name a replacement.