Editorial
Tulsa World
Because its first candidate died after the voting began, the Oklahoma Democratic Party is pushing for a new election in Oklahoma’s second congressional district.
That plan will be expensive for the state, undemocratic for the voters and, ultimately, pointless for everyone.
Earl Everett, 80, won the Democratic primary, but died after a Nov. 2 traffic accident. Early voting had already start in the District 2 race between Everett and incumbent U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, although the in-person balloting had not.
Now the Democratic Party wants to use a state law that allows it to substitute a candidate if its nominee dies during a campaign. The law would force Gov. Mary Fallin to call a special election. Fallin and the state Election Board have asked the Attorney General Scott Pruitt for advice on the issue.
A new election will cost the state $250,000 to $350,000. Counties in the district would also incur some expense.
That would be wasted money because, it seems clear to us that the people have already spoken. Mullin won 70 percent of the vote. Does anyone expect that to turn around in another election?
Invalidating the election would be telling the people of the Second District that their general election votes were wasted. It would be legalistic power politics at it worse: A party forcing a needless election — at taxpayers’ expense — just because it can.
A law due to go into effect Jan. 1 would change the situation: A new election would only be needed if a dead candidate wins. That’s what common sense says should happen in this case.
We don’t need a do-over to find out who the Second District wants in Congress. We just need the Democrats to behave democratically.
