The 2017 elections for the state of Virginia were nothing short of remarkable. Riding on a wave of anti-Trump support, the House of Delegates, which had been tw0-thirds Republican with 66 seats compared to 34 for the Democrats, went to 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats. And a recount in Newport News temporarily gave one-vote victory to Democrat Shelly Simonds over Republican David Yancey, making the chamber even. But an invalid ballot pointed out by a state election official nullified the victory, and the winner was drawn out of a bowl.
Many are saying this is Bush vs. Gore redux.
I am personally disappointed in this is how this seat was chosen and to many it reeks of shadiness. A Republican election monitor points out an invalid ballot which many believed should not have counted (based on Virginia election laws) who submits the complaints to a three-panel judgeship comprised of all Republicans, which vote against the 1-count win by the Democrats, then go to pulling the winner out out of a jar – which is the Republican – and before another district recount is completed, the Republicans, with a 50-49 majority, will pick the Speaker of the House. And with this country mired in extreme partisanship on almost every issue, I would not be surprised if Governor Northam faces the same difficulties as his predecessor McAullife did regarding passing legislation.
Transparency and an appearance of impartiality would have been nice here. It’s just a weird way for all this to go down, and further makes people mistrustful of the election process in this state and the country.
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