Yes, they can. Any state could that’s effected by a disaster like Superstorm Sandy.
I’m not kidding.
“Can,” of course, isn’t “Will.” I make no prediction. But it may surprise some to know that a lot of states are empowered to postpone even a presidential election, based on their own constitutional provisions and emergency laws to act in such a manner in case of an emergency like “Sandy.” According to Slate, even governors in states lacking such laws may “reasonably use his or her emergency powers to suspend the election during a state of emergency.”
Okay, okay. This election has already threatened many of us with a nervous breakdown. Another macabre twist of fate is the last thing we might need to consider.
Just know, however, that it is theoretically possible for, let’s say, Republican Governor John Kasich, to postpone the vote in Ohio based on storm damage in eastern Ohio along the border of snowbound West Virginia.
In such an event, surely the $uperPacs of the world would not aim their missiles on über swing state Ohio in the interregnum, right?
But, hell, let’s leave nightmare scenarios for Halloween. It’s not like “Sandy” hit Florida or anything …
October 30th, 2012 at 11:15 pm
“Okay, okay. This election has already threatened many of us with a nervous breakdown.”
Yes sir, it has. I will say though that if postponing it WOULD make Romney’s camp flare up at Ohio, or any other state swing state, I say let them postpone. Just more proof for all the other states that he isn’t fit to lead.