In the last 4 years Carlsbad voters have gone to the ballots seven times, including the recent special election to replace former U.S. Representative Randy "Duke" Cunningham.
In those seven elections over 60% of the electorate (the registered Carlsbad voters) cast a ballot. In fact, Carlsbad had almost 86% voter turn out in the 2004 Presidential election when President Bush was re-elected. All of those numbers are very good and mean that many in Carlsbad are voting. However, there are startling few who actually know or understand why there is a special election to fill the 50th Congressional District seat, how the election will work, why someone was not simply appointed to fill out the remainder of the term and what the process is for filling out the term.
Below are frequently asked questions that may give insight to this race with a finish line that seems to be quite a ways off.
Q: Why are we having a special election to replace Duke? Why can't the President or the Governor simply appoint someone to finish his term?
A: Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution lays out how we determine the number of members of the House each state gets. It also lays out a plan for vacancies in the Representation from any State. It says, "…the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies." In other words, the Governor must call for an election to fill the seat.
Q: Is this election different from normal elections? If so, in what ways?
A: The special election is like a County Supervisors race. Any number of candidates can run in the special election, and voters can vote for any candidate on the ballot. In this past April 11th election, if one candidate had received 50% +1 vote they would have finished out Duke's term; however, since no candidate got 50%+1 vote there will be a runoff in June between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
The June run-off will be on the same day as the June primary, meaning voters will vote twice for Congress in June. One vote will be to determine who will finish Duke Cunningham's term, the second vote to determine the select political party's candidate for the November general election.
It is possible that the candidate who replaces Duke Cunningham might not be on the November general election ballot. The special election was held to select a candidate to finish Duke Cunningham's term until his term ends this year. The organizational chart on this page should help voters further understand this election process.
In those seven elections over 60% of the electorate (the registered Carlsbad voters) cast a ballot. In fact, Carlsbad had almost 86% voter turn out in the 2004 Presidential election when President Bush was re-elected. All of those numbers are very good and mean that many in Carlsbad are voting. However, there are startling few who actually know or understand why there is a special election to fill the 50th Congressional District seat, how the election will work, why someone was not simply appointed to fill out the remainder of the term and what the process is for filling out the term.
Below are frequently asked questions that may give insight to this race with a finish line that seems to be quite a ways off.
Q: Why are we having a special election to replace Duke? Why can't the President or the Governor simply appoint someone to finish his term?
A: Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution lays out how we determine the number of members of the House each state gets. It also lays out a plan for vacancies in the Representation from any State. It says, "…the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies." In other words, the Governor must call for an election to fill the seat.
Q: Is this election different from normal elections? If so, in what ways?
A: The special election is like a County Supervisors race. Any number of candidates can run in the special election, and voters can vote for any candidate on the ballot. In this past April 11th election, if one candidate had received 50% +1 vote they would have finished out Duke's term; however, since no candidate got 50%+1 vote there will be a runoff in June between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
The June run-off will be on the same day as the June primary, meaning voters will vote twice for Congress in June. One vote will be to determine who will finish Duke Cunningham's term, the second vote to determine the select political party's candidate for the November general election.
It is possible that the candidate who replaces Duke Cunningham might not be on the November general election ballot. The special election was held to select a candidate to finish Duke Cunningham's term until his term ends this year. The organizational chart on this page should help voters further understand this election process.