The Washington Post reported yesterday that Governor Martin O'Malley is seeking a rule change that would allow Maryland to hold a special election without a special primary. O'Malley noted that the state would save about a million dollars if both parties allow the winners of the February primaries to stand. The heavily Democratic district did their part to nominate a great candidate, Donna Edwards. Now it's our turn to support Governor O'Malley and help punch Edward's ticket for Denver.
First, O'Malley's objective:
O'Malley (D) said he plans to seek the change before the legislative session's scheduled adjournment Monday, in hopes of avoiding two costly elections. He said his other option, to leave voters in Wynn's district without representation until January, would be unfair to residents.
State election officials estimate that holding both primary and general special elections would cost about $2 million, which could be halved by having only a general election.
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O'Malley said he will ask for a revision in the law allowing him to call a general election "where a primary has already happened." He said that he will talk to Republican leaders about his proposal and that he has spoken to Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.).
All of this is to say, time is of the essence. Avoiding the special election to save the other million flies in the face of our right to representation. Maryland, the country, Democrats, progressives and anti-war activists shouldn't have to wait til January. Saving the taxpayers money is important; Saving time could save lives.
The law:
According to state law, O'Malley must decide whether to allow the seat to remain vacant until the winner of November's election can take office in January or to have a special primary, followed by a general election, to find a candidate to complete Wynn's term.
O'Malley said he will ask for a revision in the law allowing him to call a general election "where a primary has already happened." He said that he will talk to Republican leaders about his proposal and that he has spoken to Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.).
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O'Malley spokeswoman Christine N. Hansen said the governor's legal staff is reviewing whether the February primary winners would automatically be the candidates in a special election or if the central committees of each party in Prince George's and Montgomery would choose candidates.
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Legislative leaders in both parties said they will study the governor's proposal. A spokesman for the Maryland Attorney General's office said lawyers there are examining the idea to see whether it would pass constitutional muster.
Clearly, the constitutional under-pinnings of this legislation will need to be persuasive to Democrats and Republicans alike. Since I have no legal training whatsoever, I'll leave that for others to assess. And what about those Republicans?
Edwards will face Republican Peter James in the November election in the overwhelmingly Democratic district, which includes parts of Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
James said he has not been briefed on the plan by the O'Malley, who he said has not responded to his request to discuss the issue. James said his chances for victory in the heavily Democratic district could be boosted by holding a low-turnout special election. But he questioned the cost to taxpayers, noting that because of the summer recess, Congress will be in session for only a limited time between June and January.
"For a few weeks of being in office, it just seems to me it's a big waste of money to have another election," James said.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) said he is "willing to discuss" the governor's proposal. He said he sees "pros and cons on both sides" to having an election, "between the expense on the one hand and the lack of representation on the other."
"The seat has to be filled," Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley (R-Frederick) said.
He said he needed to look at the details of a general election and how the Republican candidate would be chosen.
It appears there is a discrepancy in their response. Here's rooting for their better angels to win.
I resist the temptation to post news flashes, because usually by the time I've added my analysis, a faster typer or a more seasoned cossack has posted their diary. Forgive me if my input is sparse. [update: tips below]
[Update 2: Changed title and added a hint in the intro that this could net Obama a superdelegate.]