One vote keeps the Virginia House election between Democrat Shelly A. Simonds and Republican David E. Yancey going. At first Simonds appeared to have defeated her Republican opponent by one vote. However, after a recount it was discovered that a ballot that had initially been marked for Democrat Shelly Simonds had been crossed out and marked for Republican David Yancey. The panel ruled that this vote should go to the Republican. After this decision the race has been left as a tie with both candidates having 11,608 votes. According to the law, the winner will now be decided through a random draw. However, the attorney for the Virginia House Democrats, Marc Elias, is criticizing the panel's decision. He states that, "Today's decision by the court was wrong, and Delegate-elect Shelly Simonds should have been certified the winner, we are currently assessing all legal options before us as we fight for a just result." This election is essential because it could lead to either an equal amount of seats for Democrats or allow the Republicans to gain control of the House. Finally, D
emocrats gained on Republicans after unseating more than a dozen and putting the control of the House in play.
1. Do you think that Republicans will continue to lose more seats in the House?
2. How will it change the House if Simonds wins and their is equal seats between Democrats and Republicans?
3. What are your thoughts on the election winner being chosen randomly by draw?
3. I do not think that the winner should be chosen randomly by draw. Randomly drawing a candidate does not coincide with the principles of a democracy, where the major winner takes the seat. I could urge for an addition voting session in which one or more voters are bound to possibly change their mind.
ReplyDelete3. Randomly drawing a candidate is undemocratic and it doesn't send an appropriate message. If it gets to that point, the election should be re-held.
ReplyDelete3. I agree with both the above comments. Choosing the candidate by drawing a name emphasizes the luck associated with the process of election and makes it seem as though our process for electing officials to government has an air of randomness. I think there should be a tie breaker as there is one for presidential elections, or the vote should be held again.
ReplyDelete3. Responding similarly, I believe that luck or chance should play absolutely no role in politics. The whole point of elections is for the majority constituents to earn the candidate for the people. Having a random selection is absolutely ridiculous and extremely undemocratic.
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