The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: SCOTT HILL
24th District Kansas Senator
For those who vote in election,s there is a feeling that you are doing your part to shape the direction of our country. It is at the same time a satisfying and frustrating experience. Many of us have a feeling of duty to our communities and ultimately to our nation to vote our preferences for leadership. At the same time, it feels like our single vote is meaningless in the course of an election. As you read this, most yard signs have come down and races have mostly been decided. There was a time, however, when a United States Senate race took ten months to decide.
If you remember the 1974 election season, it is probably because of the Watergate scandal. President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 after two years of investigation into his conduct in the 1972 election. Lesser known is the race for the New Hampshire senate seat that took ten months to decide. The race for an open seat that pitted Republican Louis Wyman against Democrat John Durkin came down to a margin of victory of just two votes. Initially Wyman won by 355 votes. When Durkin demanded a recount, he ended up winning by a mere 10 votes. Wyman of course demanded a recount and was reinstated as the winner by 2 votes. When the Democrat controlled senate would not seat Wyman, a long fight ensued that finally ended when a special election was held on September 17, 1975, with Wyman easily winning by 27,000 votes.
We have had many contentious issues regarding elections in our country’s history. Election laws are written to reduce the influence of outside sources. However, there continues to be controversy surrounding elections. In the latter half of the nineteenth century complaints over influence peddling and party juggernauts led to “progressive” election reforms that resulted in the convoluted system we now have where some elections are partisan and other elections held in odd numbered years are non-partisan. This year the state Republican Party was involved in its influence being used in a city election in a partisan manner. While this seems inappropriate to many, it may pale in comparison to the 1800 presidential race that was decided after 35 votes in the United States House of Representatives. Emotions were so charged that the winning Vice
President who wanted to be president, Aaron Burr, ended up having a pistol duel with the man who was instrumental in Thomas Jefferson being elected president, Alexander Hamilton. Perhaps losing out on president provided an extra motivation for Burr, because he did not lose the duel.
Already in the twenty-first century we have had two very contentious presidential elections. Even more bizarre than “hanging chads,” though, was the 1824 presidential election when Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but did not secure a majority of the electoral vote. The horse trading that ensued in the next month in the House of Representatives ended up with Jackson’s home state of Kentucky giving their electoral vote to John Qunicy Adams, the eventual winner, even though he did not receive a single popular vote in Kentucky. Jackson, by the way, came back and won the presidency four years later.
Our elections often are clouded with controversy, but we have continued as a country for nearly 250 years. It is important to work to improve the integrity of elections. I have voted for several important pieces of legislation over the last three years to reinforce the integrity of the election process. There is still room for improvement as the process shows. However, never let a doubt in your mind prevent you from casting your vote. It is essential to the future of our election process.
You can send us your opinions/letters to the editor, along with your name, city and or county location to [email protected]