Posted on 11/02/2002 6:48:11 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
NOVEMBER 02, 09:43 ET Missouri Ballots Spur Uncertainty
By LIBBY QUAID Associated Press Writer AP/James A. Finley [26K] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (AP) — It could take days or even weeks to declare a winner in the Senate race in Missouri, and that could leave control of the Senate in question for the rest of 2002.
Democratic Sen. Jean Carnahan and Republican challenger Jim Talent are running in a close race. And because of the state's new provisional voting system, which allows voters whose registration is in question to cast a ballot, Secretary of State Matt Blunt said Thursday it may take time to declare a winner and certify the election.
How does that affect control of the Senate? The race is a special election, a circumstance that traditionally results in the victor being sworn in immediately, rather than when a new term begins in January.
Democrats now control the Senate by a single vote — that of independent James Jeffords of Vermont — but if Talent wins in Missouri, that control would be in question when the Senate reconvenes for a lame-duck session to finish congressional spending bills and a homeland security bill.
Carnahan was appointed to the vacancy created when voters elected her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, three weeks after he died in a plane crash in 2000. Senate vacancies are filled by temporary appointments until the next general election, and Mrs. Carnahan and Talent are seeking the final four years of the term.
Under Missouri law, the vacancy lasts only until a successor is ``elected and qualified according to law.'' Federal law covers the next step, which is that the governor and secretary of state — in Missouri, a Democrat and a Republican — certify the election to the Senate.
Some Democrats have raised questions about whether Democratic Gov. Bob Holden would somehow delay certification of the winner if Talent — who narrowly lost to Holden in the 2000 governor's race — is the victor.
Holden said Friday: ``I will do my job. As soon as I get the information, I will act accordingly and do it as quickly as possible. All Missourians as well as the nation could be looking at the results.''
The recent death of Minnesota Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone creates a vacancy in the same manner as the posthumous election of Mel Carnahan.
It's up to Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura whether to appoint the winner of the Nov. 5 election — Republican Norm Coleman or Democratic former Sen. Walter Mondale — or someone else.
Minnesota elections officials said the results of the race are likely to be delayed into Wednesday, due to a supplemental ballot required after Wellstone's death.
The state Supreme Court ordered local election officials to deliver new ballots to absentee voters who ask to change their Senate vote.
I love this system. As Rush Limbaugh pointed out, it is a blatant attempt at vote fraud: We will let you cast a ballot even though we don't think you're eligible, and if you turn out to be eligible (read: "If Carnahan needs your vote") we will count it.
If (when) Talent wins, the Senate IMMEDIATELY goes to the GOP.
Of course, that can't happen if the results are delayed for "days, or even weeks."
They'll stop at nothing.
Holden is going to be a one-term gov and this is typical of the kind of little creep he is. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Blunt isn't the guy who runs against him.
Ultimately, Blunt will come through and make the count so accurate that it cannot be contested in court and Holden will have no choice but to certify it in on time.
If we could only be so confident about the potential for voting fraud in SD, MD, and MN!
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