The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly grant states the authority to cancel elections. However, it does provide states with the power to regulate the administration of elections within their borders. This authority is primarily found in Article I, Section 4, which states:
"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators."
This means that while states have the power to set their own election laws, including the scheduling and conduct of elections, they must still operate within the framework of federal law. In practice, states may have provisions in their laws that allow for the postponement or cancellation of elections under certain circumstances, such as emergencies or natural disasters, but these provisions are determined by state law rather than the Constitution itself.
What is the emergency? Challenge the law.
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Citizens can fight back against changes to laws that would postpone or cancel elections through several avenues:
1. **Advocacy and Lobbying**: Citizens can organize and advocate for the protection of election laws by contacting their elected representatives, participating in public forums, and lobbying for legislation that safeguards election integrity.
2. **Petitions**: Citizens can gather signatures to support petitions that call for maintaining scheduled elections or opposing any proposed changes that would allow postponement or cancellation.
3. **Legal Action**: If a law is passed that citizens believe is unconstitutional or violates their rights, they can challenge it in court. This may involve filing lawsuits to seek injunctions or to have the law overturned.
4. **Public Awareness Campaigns**: Raising awareness through social media, community meetings, and public demonstrations can mobilize public opinion against changes to election laws.
5. **Voting**: Engaging in the electoral process by voting for candidates who support fair election practices can help ensure that laws protecting election integrity are upheld.
By utilizing these methods, citizens can actively participate in the democratic process and work to prevent changes that could undermine the electoral system.
Absolutely right — and thank you for laying that out so clearly.
State legislatures do hold the keys to a lot of electoral machinery, and that Article I, Section 4 clause has become the constitutional kitchen drawer where all the weird tools live. The problem, of course, is what happens when those tools get used for demolition instead of repair.
We’re definitely not arguing that states can cancel elections on a whim — just that some are starting to imagine they could, under the right legal fog or pretext. The moment “emergency” becomes subjective, the whole system starts to wobble.
Appreciate your thoughtful addition. Keep that civic torch lit — it’s going to be a long walk.
Tired could be the word of the century for me right now. You are correct that “he who shall not be named” does not represent the most and best of us. There is a lot at work here. Soon it’s going to come to a head.
Sometimes it takes someone watching from outside the blast radius to see just how unstable the scaffolding really is. Across the pond, you’ve had your own brush with constitutional chaos lately — and yet somehow, you still manage to look at our mess with grace and clarity 😀
We’re doing our best to sound the alarm before the floor gives out again.
Grateful you’re reading. Stay loud, stay curious — and if it gets worse over here, save us a couch.
Couch already prepared. I think that Trump is the anomaly ,and does not represent who americans really are. As for England, we seem to be lurching from one thing after another: Brexit, and then Covid. I think we are all just tired
The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly grant states the authority to cancel elections. However, it does provide states with the power to regulate the administration of elections within their borders. This authority is primarily found in Article I, Section 4, which states:
"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators."
This means that while states have the power to set their own election laws, including the scheduling and conduct of elections, they must still operate within the framework of federal law. In practice, states may have provisions in their laws that allow for the postponement or cancellation of elections under certain circumstances, such as emergencies or natural disasters, but these provisions are determined by state law rather than the Constitution itself.
What is the emergency? Challenge the law.
——————————————
Citizens can fight back against changes to laws that would postpone or cancel elections through several avenues:
1. **Advocacy and Lobbying**: Citizens can organize and advocate for the protection of election laws by contacting their elected representatives, participating in public forums, and lobbying for legislation that safeguards election integrity.
2. **Petitions**: Citizens can gather signatures to support petitions that call for maintaining scheduled elections or opposing any proposed changes that would allow postponement or cancellation.
3. **Legal Action**: If a law is passed that citizens believe is unconstitutional or violates their rights, they can challenge it in court. This may involve filing lawsuits to seek injunctions or to have the law overturned.
4. **Public Awareness Campaigns**: Raising awareness through social media, community meetings, and public demonstrations can mobilize public opinion against changes to election laws.
5. **Voting**: Engaging in the electoral process by voting for candidates who support fair election practices can help ensure that laws protecting election integrity are upheld.
By utilizing these methods, citizens can actively participate in the democratic process and work to prevent changes that could undermine the electoral system.
Absolutely right — and thank you for laying that out so clearly.
State legislatures do hold the keys to a lot of electoral machinery, and that Article I, Section 4 clause has become the constitutional kitchen drawer where all the weird tools live. The problem, of course, is what happens when those tools get used for demolition instead of repair.
We’re definitely not arguing that states can cancel elections on a whim — just that some are starting to imagine they could, under the right legal fog or pretext. The moment “emergency” becomes subjective, the whole system starts to wobble.
Appreciate your thoughtful addition. Keep that civic torch lit — it’s going to be a long walk.
Pass it on so we can beat them at their own fxxk up games.
This is incredible writing,explaining to a person across the pond,the fragility of democracy. Thank you
Tired could be the word of the century for me right now. You are correct that “he who shall not be named” does not represent the most and best of us. There is a lot at work here. Soon it’s going to come to a head.
Thank you, Margaret — that means a lot!
Sometimes it takes someone watching from outside the blast radius to see just how unstable the scaffolding really is. Across the pond, you’ve had your own brush with constitutional chaos lately — and yet somehow, you still manage to look at our mess with grace and clarity 😀
We’re doing our best to sound the alarm before the floor gives out again.
Grateful you’re reading. Stay loud, stay curious — and if it gets worse over here, save us a couch.
🛫 — Skippy & Pete
Couch already prepared. I think that Trump is the anomaly ,and does not represent who americans really are. As for England, we seem to be lurching from one thing after another: Brexit, and then Covid. I think we are all just tired