Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 8:28pm

Will the Elections be Delayed?

Many people are wondering whether the devastation of Hurricane Sandy will cause the national elections next week to be delayed. The short answer is that it’s possible, but it’s not really so simple. The decision to delay elections is made by the states. The Blaze has a summary of some of the state laws, it’s more straightforward in some states than others. Governors and state election boards are permitted to change the election day if a state of emergency is declared.

The Telegraph reported a few days ago that Craig Fugate, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has made a statement to this effect. “We are anticipating that, based on the storm, there could be impacts that would linger into next week and have impacts on the federal election.”

The storm has already affected early voting, and it remains to be determined whether any states will delay the elections. If any states do delay the elections, expect there to be debates about the effect such a decision will have on the elections over all. Is it fair for one state to give voters more time to vote than the voters in another state? What if one state does more to help voters get to the polls? If a state delays the election to help those without power, why couldn’t it delay the election to help those in the military who are unable to vote on time? Will FEMA be accused of preferential treatment in choosing how much to help each state?

The President, however, has no authority to delay the elections. There was some concern when Politico’s Roger Simon asked Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, whether President Obama does have this authority and he replied, “I don’t know.” As have many other media sources, the Wall Street Journal gives the correct answer. The correct answer is no. In 2004 the Congressional Research Service (CRS) examined this question of delaying elections, acknowledging that states can do so if there are emergencies or disputes, but the CRS was clear about the authority of the executive branch. “There is no current constitutional authority residing in the President of the United States, nor the executive branch of Government, to postpone, cancel, or reschedule elections for federal office in the various States.” (From the WSJ) Only Congress can make such a change, as stated in Article 1 – The Legislative Branch, Section 4 – Elections, Meetings.

“The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.”

A uniform date for choosing a president was instituted by the Congress in 1845, and firmly maintained so that voters could make any necessary preparations to get to the polls. It was not uncommon for voters to spend most of the day travelling. As the WSJ also noted, “Americans have stuck with the date ever since, along with whatever inconveniences the timing imposes, including the Civil War, the Great Depression and World War II.”

It is clear that delaying the election is a serious decision, and it seems that if any states make that decision next week, there will be much to answer for. The national election day is, after all, almost sacred in this country.

What do you think? Will the election be delayed? Should it be? It doesn’t seem like any one state can delay without upsetting the entire election process. As Catholics we understand the importance of honoring certain days even as events and circumstances make it hard at times. We begin this month with a commemoration of all the saints, and must attend Mass on this holy day of obligation. Let’s offer a prayer for those who are suffering from the devastation of the storm, and for guidance in the coming week as our country elects new leaders.

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Image source: Hybirdd

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Richard E.
Richard E.
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 10:19am

The only way the president could get around Congress and the Constitutional law that you mentined above is for him to do what he has done before to get around them, do it by presidential mandate, but if he were to do that I think you would hear the whole country go into a uproar. If there is a will for the people to get out and vote on election day, November 6, they will find a way to get there.

Pinky
Pinky
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 11:02am

Well, realistically, the only states that have been hit hard enough to consider this are NJ and NY, and neither one is going to affect the presidency or the Senate.

New York City was supposed to have its mayoral primary on 9/11/01. It was postponed for two weeks. I remember from the Florida 2008 recount stuff that states have to certify their results by a specific date. I wonder if a state in a state of emergency could put off an election without consequences, as long as it completed the process by the certification date. I don’t know about its legality, but it seems like a practical solution.

Bob
Bob
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 12:17pm

Glad you are showing concern for the people who have lost so much. Let’s continue to make this about the election and not prayers for the suffering.

Donald R. McClarey
Reply to  Bob
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 12:19pm

I guess you must not have read the storm prayer post Bob:

https://the-american-catholic.com/2012/10/29/storm-prayer/

Mike Petrik
Mike Petrik
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 1:15pm

Stacy, no fair-minded person (with reasoning skills) could read your post as implying any lack of concern for the well-being of those hurt by the storm.

WK Aiken
WK Aiken
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 2:48pm

As one whose knees sometimes jerk without reasoned restraint, I can attest to the usefulness of reading an entire piece before firing off chastisements or criticisms. To wit, Bob, the last sentence of the post:

“Let’s offer a prayer for those who are suffering from the devastation of the storm, and for guidance in the coming week as our country elects new leaders.”

;^D

Thomas Collins
Thomas Collins
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 4:24pm

There was some concern when Politico’s Roger Simon asked Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, whether President Obama does have this authority and he replied, “I don’t know.”

We know the President is a Constitutional scholar, of course (if not practitioner), but would it kill his staff (and others in public service) to read it once in a while if only to save themselves embarrassment.

As for delaying the election in NY, it wouldn’t be unreasonable. I’m sure many people will still be displaced next week and many polling places destroyed.

G-Veg
G-Veg
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 6:14pm

Without apology, no, no, no, and no again!

It IS unreasonable to delay the election because what seems justified today will be the beginning of another area of our Republic’s slide towards tyranny.

It isn ‘t the meanness that drags a people towards tyranny, it is the well-meaning, seemingly justified. You open the door a crack and you prove that it can be done and that people will consent to it. Only there is no end to the seemingly just causes.

So, no! Absolutely not! As tragic and difficult as the circumstances are, hold the election on time, everywhere!

DJ Hesselius
DJ Hesselius
Thursday, November 1, AD 2012 6:25pm

G-Veg has some good points.

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Friday, November 2, AD 2012 12:54pm

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