Elections Passed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: YES

Protects the right to elect rulers rather than having them appointed; references John Ashcroft case.

Summary

Allows postponing an election if a candidate dies, preventing appointment of replacement.

Biblical Reasoning

One of the most cherished freedoms in America is the right to elect, to “choose out from ourselves,” those who govern us. ( Ex. 18:31; Dt. 1:12; Acts 6:2,3) Measure 31 protects that right in light of our new vote-by-mail practices.

Exodus 18:31 — “choose out from ourselves [Note: likely typo in source for 18:21]”
Deuteronomy 1:12 — “choose out from ourselves”
Acts 6:2-3 — “choose out from ourselves”

Election Results

66%
34%
YesNo

Voters approved the procedure for deceased candidates (66% Yes).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: Under current law, if a candidate dies during an election, the election cannot be postponed. If the deceased person wins, the usual result is the appointment of someone to the office. This Measure lets the Legislature pass laws postponing certain elections when one of the candidates dies.

PEAPAC Comment: One of the most cherished freedoms in America is the right to elect, to “choose out from ourselves,” those who govern us. ( Ex. 18:31; Dt. 1:12; Acts 6:2,3) Measure 31 protects that right in light of our new vote-by-mail practices. Voting by mail spreads the actual voting over several weeks, increasing the odds of one of the candidates dying during the process.

In 2000, John Ashcroft, running for U.S. Senator from Missouri, was defeated by a man who had died in a plane crash three weeks before the election. The Democratic governor of Missouri then appointed the dead man’s wife to the U. S. Senate. This Measure will help our Legislature protect our precious right to elect our own rulers, rather than letting others appoint them. We strongly urge a Yes vote on Measure 31.

← PreviousMeasure 27 (2002)