Brian Kemp, Republican candidate for Georgia Secretary of State, said Tuesday during a visit to Tifton that his experience as a senator and small business owner make him the best choice for the job.“I think it is a good fit for me,” Kemp said.
This again is another statewide position that could be appointed and spare us the costs of an election.
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does the cost of an election go up signifigantly by having multiple races on the ballot?
I don’t think it does, except for the fact you have the potential for more runoffs.
Acknowledging that I do not have all the answers, and that any idea I have is subject to improvement, here is what I think would benefit our state in terms of elections and offices:
Amending the Georgia Constitution such that:
1) No one can win a state or local office by election with less than 50% plus one of the votes. Runoffs should take place 1 week after the election.
2) All offices and referendums are to have a “None of the above” choice. If the parties run twits, the voters should have a simple way to say “No” to all concerned.
3) For statewide offices, only the Governor, State Senate, and State Representative offices are to be elected.
4) Cabinet positions (Secretary of …) are appointed by the Governor, subject to the advice and consent of the legislature, and server at the pleasure of the Governor. The legislature would have a time limit (e.g. 14 calendar days) to provide consent, or else consent would be granted by default.
5) No limitations on campaign donations, but all campaign donations must be declared online within one week of receipt. The public info would include the name of the individual or organization, and whether the individual or organization is in-state or not.
While this should never be required by law, I recommend it highly for each party for those running for office: Require any candidate getting the backing of the party to pass a polygraph on the following questions:
Have you, within the last 10 years, lied on your income tax returns or election forms?
Have you, within the last 10 years, employed or caused to be employed, someone who you knew, or should have known, was in the US illegally?
Have you, within the last 10 years, and if married, cheated on your spouse?
Have you, within the last 10 years, stolen anything from an employer or your own business?
Have you, within the last 10 years, obtained or tried to obtain, any form of pornography that is illegal in Georgia?
Have you, within the last 10 years, accepted anything of value (that wasn’t declared in full) over $100, from anyone or any organization that you dealt with through an elected office or as an employee of the state?
Lack of honor and virtue in one’s private life is inseparable from honor and virtue in the execution of public office.
This clause could get awkward if snuggles ever gets elected.
I wish the blog had an edit feature for my fat-fingering.
The elected Constitution officers are the only real limits on Gobernatorial Power other than Legislatures controlling their budgets.
Obviously Governors can often SELECT and support their parties candidates and extert power over these other elected offices.
When you have guys like the OX and a few others at times, who are always at war with Governors and the Legislature over what’s best for Georgia……………..you see it played out in budget process, where whole departments are defunded.
Interesting to see the Governors office gets a 2.5% INCREASE, whereas the SOS gets a 6.5% DECREASE, Insurance get a 10% DECREASE, lots of others were punished depending on who sucked up to whom.
http://www.gbpi.org/documents/20090629c.pdf
According the the link you provided, the SoS office DECREASED by 16.4%. Went from $40.5MM to $33.9MM. Insurance decreased 9.9%. Went from $19.2MM to $17.3MM
Kemp is a small businessman? I thought he said he was a farmer a couple of years ago…
Kemp is the clear choice for the SOS position.His legislative experience and leadership qualities will serve him well.
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