Imagine Losing The Election To A Dead Woman

Katana · 8th November 2006, 09:33 AM

For this incumbent, it's a reality.

Quote:

PIERRE, S.D. - A woman who died two months ago won a county commissioner's race in Jerauld County on Tuesday.

Democrat Marie Steichen, of Woonsocket, got 100 votes, defeating incumbent Republican Merlin Feistner, of Woonsocket, who had 64 votes.

Jerauld County Auditor Cindy Peterson said she believes the county board will have to meet to appoint a replacement for Steichen. Peterson said she'll check with the state's attorney to be sure that's the process.

Peterson said voters knew Steichen had died.

"They just had a chance to make a change, and we respect their opinion."

Link

shemp · 8th November 2006, 09:48 AM

I for one welcome our new zombie county commissioner.

FreeChile · 8th November 2006, 12:01 PM

I wonder how the WOO there may take advantage of that. They could summon the woman to effect her newly obtained powers.

Meadmaker · 8th November 2006, 01:54 PM

So, is the loser expected to get a cabinet nomination?

Oxymoron · 8th November 2006, 03:38 PM

Man. That's got to be tough on his ego.

Dark Jaguar · 8th November 2006, 04:02 PM

That's more depressing than anything. What it suggests to me is people didn't really keep up on the candidates at all, at least not during a two month period up to the election, and this is the result.

I'd rather everyone vote, but only if they are informed. If they aren't informed, I'd rather they just stay home.

Katana · 8th November 2006, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Jaguar

That's more depressing than anything. What it suggests to me is people didn't really keep up on the candidates at all, at least not during a two month period up to the election, and this is the result.

I'd rather everyone vote, but only if they are informed. If they aren't informed, I'd rather they just stay home.

Except that the person interviewed for the story said that voters knew that she was dead.

Dark Jaguar · 8th November 2006, 04:16 PM

That changes things up a bit. Didn't catch that part. Still, not sure what they actually intend to do here. Is this an "anything but that candidate" thing?

Katana · 8th November 2006, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dark Jaguar

That changes things up a bit. Didn't catch that part. Still, not sure what they actually intend to do here. Is this an "anything but that candidate" thing?

That's what I was wondering. What was the motivation? Did they want to send a statement of support to her? Sort of a final farewell? Or did they want to send a statement that they hated her opponent that much?

I'm leaning towards the first. One would think that a write-in candidate might have emerged to give them another option. Then again, if they couldn't offer up a write-in candidate because of elections rules and such, maybe this was the only way to avoid having the other guy elected.

Whatever the reason, it looks pretty bad for the opponent.

Badger · 8th November 2006, 04:36 PM

Well, I can sort of relate. My invisible friend ran away....

Dr Adequate · 8th November 2006, 04:44 PM

Hmm.

In the UK, if a Member of Parliament (for example) dies, then his seat comes up for election.

In the US, or in many parts of the US, a substitute is chosen by people who, being themselves elected, are qualified to elect a substitute.

In the news story cited, it is said:

"Jerauld County Auditor Cindy Peterson said she believes the county board will have to meet to appoint a replacement for Steichen. Peterson said she'll check with the state's attorney to be sure that's the process."

There is a process. If that isn't it, then something else is.

Zep · 8th November 2006, 07:34 PM

Who we votin' for agin', Jeb?

8th November 2006, 09:33 AM	#1
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	Imagine Losing The Election To A Dead Woman For this incumbent, it's a reality. Quote: PIERRE, S.D. - A woman who died two months ago won a county commissioner's race in Jerauld County on Tuesday. Democrat Marie Steichen, of Woonsocket, got 100 votes, defeating incumbent Republican Merlin Feistner, of Woonsocket, who had 64 votes. Jerauld County Auditor Cindy Peterson said she believes the county board will have to meet to appoint a replacement for Steichen. Peterson said she'll check with the state's attorney to be sure that's the process. Peterson said voters knew Steichen had died. "They just had a chance to make a change, and we respect their opinion." Link
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	__________________ "I think Katana is as big of a perv as the rest of us." - Dragonrock "The rationality was there, and clear and concise. The condescention was hinted at and was like french onion dip on the perfect potato chip. Tasted like woo smackdown." - Fowlsound (aka Ducky, darnit) "Katana is one quick shut-yo-mouth!" - JonnyFive StopSylviaBrowne

8th November 2006, 09:48 AM	#2
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,893	I for one welcome our new zombie county commissioner.
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

8th November 2006, 01:54 PM	#4
Meadmaker Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Detroit suburbs Posts: 11,453	So, is the loser expected to get a cabinet nomination?
	__________________ Dave "War is Peace. Freedom is slavery. Particles are waves."

8th November 2006, 03:38 PM	#5
Oxymoron Thinker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 209	Man. That's got to be tough on his ego.
	__________________ Common sense is not so common. Voltaire

8th November 2006, 04:05 PM	#7
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	Originally Posted by Dark Jaguar That's more depressing than anything. What it suggests to me is people didn't really keep up on the candidates at all, at least not during a two month period up to the election, and this is the result. I'd rather everyone vote, but only if they are informed. If they aren't informed, I'd rather they just stay home. Except that the person interviewed for the story said that voters knew that she was dead.
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	__________________ "I think Katana is as big of a perv as the rest of us." - Dragonrock "The rationality was there, and clear and concise. The condescention was hinted at and was like french onion dip on the perfect potato chip. Tasted like woo smackdown." - Fowlsound (aka Ducky, darnit) "Katana is one quick shut-yo-mouth!" - JonnyFive StopSylviaBrowne

8th November 2006, 12:01 PM	#3
FreeChile Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,039	I wonder how the WOO there may take advantage of that. They could summon the woman to effect her newly obtained powers.

8th November 2006, 04:02 PM	#6
Dark Jaguar Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,666	That's more depressing than anything. What it suggests to me is people didn't really keep up on the candidates at all, at least not during a two month period up to the election, and this is the result. I'd rather everyone vote, but only if they are informed. If they aren't informed, I'd rather they just stay home.

8th November 2006, 04:16 PM	#8
Dark Jaguar Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,666	That changes things up a bit. Didn't catch that part. Still, not sure what they actually intend to do here. Is this an "anything but that candidate" thing?

8th November 2006, 04:25 PM	#9
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	Originally Posted by Dark Jaguar That changes things up a bit. Didn't catch that part. Still, not sure what they actually intend to do here. Is this an "anything but that candidate" thing? That's what I was wondering. What was the motivation? Did they want to send a statement of support to her? Sort of a final farewell? Or did they want to send a statement that they hated her opponent that much? I'm leaning towards the first. One would think that a write-in candidate might have emerged to give them another option. Then again, if they couldn't offer up a write-in candidate because of elections rules and such, maybe this was the only way to avoid having the other guy elected. Whatever the reason, it looks pretty bad for the opponent.
Katana Illuminator Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4,894	__________________ "I think Katana is as big of a perv as the rest of us." - Dragonrock "The rationality was there, and clear and concise. The condescention was hinted at and was like french onion dip on the perfect potato chip. Tasted like woo smackdown." - Fowlsound (aka Ducky, darnit) "Katana is one quick shut-yo-mouth!" - JonnyFive StopSylviaBrowne

8th November 2006, 04:36 PM	#10
Badger Member of the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: In the country Posts: 3,441	Well, I can sort of relate. My invisible friend ran away....
	__________________ www.skepticalcommunity.com "You're a soundbite waiting to happen." (Steve Antle) "You are O.D'ing on drama flakes. Please stop." (kookbreaker) "You had me at bamboo worms." - (GeekGoddess) "I power-barfed for so long that I'm pretty sure I lost a few inches in height and maybe even went back in time a little. " (negativ)

8th November 2006, 04:44 PM	#11
Dr Adequate Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waiting Long Enough By The River Posts: 17,897	Hmm. In the UK, if a Member of Parliament (for example) dies, then his seat comes up for election. In the US, or in many parts of the US, a substitute is chosen by people who, being themselves elected, are qualified to elect a substitute. In the news story cited, it is said: "Jerauld County Auditor Cindy Peterson said she believes the county board will have to meet to appoint a replacement for Steichen. Peterson said she'll check with the state's attorney to be sure that's the process." There is a process. If that isn't it, then something else is.

8th November 2006, 07:34 PM	#12
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	Who we votin' for agin', Jeb?
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985