The Dead Winning Elections in Florida and Alabama

How’d a political candidate feel if his opponent was dead and buried, but still the people voted the dead to power rather than choosing him? It’s difficult. In Florida, Democrat Earl K. Wood, and in Alabama, Republican Charles Beasley, both died this year, but their names remained on the ballot, and the people voted them to power rather than allowing their opponents to win.

Republican Beasley, 77, died on October 12 while contesting for his old seat on the Bibb County Commission in central Alabama. He won 52 percent votes and defeated his opponent Democrat Walter Sansing. Sansing, who is obviously dejected at the situation told Reuters, “It is a touchy situation. When you are running against a dead man, you are limited as to what you can say.”

In Flordia, Democrat Earl K. Wood died on October 15 due to natural causes at the ripe age of 96. However, the people still voted for him rather than allow his opponent to win. Wood had actually decided to step down rather than run for his 12^th term as Orange County Tax Collector, and had also announced so when things were still not settled.

But, Reuters reports, when he saw an old political opponent trying to take the opportunity, he changed his mind and decided to contest for the seat. He defeated his foe from the beyond, winning 56 percent votes against his foe who had promised to eliminate his office if elected.