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2019 US Miscellaneous Election Thread

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:46 pm
by Shrillland
It may be an odd-numbered year, but there are still states that need governors, ballot initiatives to go through, and byelections in Congress to happen. Needless to say, this will likely be an infrequent thread unless something big comes up like a Senate seat, but it's somewhere where all those things can come up. And we already have one coming for the spring.(March 23 at the latest)

Less than two weeks after the new term began, GOP Congressman Jim Marino(PA-12, State College-Susquehanna Valley) is already resigning to go to the private sector: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/17/politics/tom-marino-announces-resignation/index.html
At the moment, there's little else to say, but we'll keep posted as things come in, I'm sure. So, you know. Thoughts, views, anything that might relate to miscellaneous votes like this one.

On the immediate subject, I think that is something of a dick move, what about you?

Plebiscite Plaza 2019!

First, we have Prop CC. This would allow the state to hold tax money that it's currently required to keep under Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights(TABOR), a section of Article 10 of the State Constitution that limits how taxes in Colorado can be raised and spent. The money that would be kept in the state's coffers would be used to fund transport, infrastructure, and education. This comes after two bond issue propositions on improving infrastructure were both rejected last year. REJECTED

Next is Prop DD. This will legalise sports betting and impose a 10% tax on all net proceeds.APPROVED


Kansas will be voting on a Constitutional Amendment that would end the practice of adjusting the census to exclude nonresident military personnel and students and adding resident military personnel and students who claim permanent residency. Kansas is the only state that still does this when apportioning legislators. APPROVED


Amendment 1 amends the constitution to exempt goods and properties from being taxed if those goods are being stored in warehouses and are headed for the Outer Continental Shelf(i.e., the oil rigs). REJECTED

Amendment 2 would allow the Education Excellence Fund to appropriate $75,000 per year to the Louisiana Educational Television Authority(the authority responsible for Louisiana's PBS stations outside of New Orleans) and add the Thrive Academy(a charter school in Baton Rouge) and the state's laboratory schools(college-run schools specifically meant to teach future teachers, educators, and researchers) to the list of schools that receive annual payments. APPROVED

Amendment 3 would allow the Legislature, by a 2/3 vote, to extend the authority of the State Board of Tax Appeals to consider the constitutionality of taxes, fees, or things in its jurisdiction. Currently, the board has the authority to settle disputes over taxes and set guidelines for the state, but they can't say they are constitutional or not. APPROVED

Amendment 4 would amend the constitution to allow New Orleans to grant partial or full property tax exemptions on properties with 15 housing units or less, or impose tax freezes on those properties with values kept at what they were a year before the exemption went into effect. REJECTED


Question 1 is a bond issue vote...nothing to report here.

Question 2 is an amendment that would allow people with physical disabilities that prevent them from signing their own names such as Parkinson's, ALS, Quadriplegia, or double amputees, to use an alternative signature to sign onto ballot initiatives. Currently, the state constitution requires original signatures only. Maine's already passed laws allowing alternative signatures for candidate petitions. APPROVED


New Jersey will be voting on an amendment that would extend the $250 property tax deduction that veterans currently receive if they happen to be property owners or co-op shareholders to retirement centres and nursing homes that house veterans. The centres would be required to pass the deduction to their veteran residents in the form of credit or outright payment by cheque or debit. APPROVED


Pennsylvania will be voting to include Marsy's Law to the Constitution. Like all the others, this will pass.


Prop 1 is an amendment that would allow elected and appointed municipal judges to hold more than one office in more than one municipality at the same time. Currently, this is only allowed for appointed municipal judges in Texas Municipal Courts, which are fairly low-level affairs just a step up from Justices of the Peace. Simply, it would allow municipal judges to run and be elected in more than one city, which is currently only allowed if they're appointed to the post. REJECTED

Prop 2 would amend the constitution to allow the Water Development Board to issue $200 million in bonds to develop water, sewer, and drainage projects in economically distressed areas. APPROVED

Prop 3 would amend the constitution to allow the legislature to allow cities and counties to offer temporary property tax exemptions in state disaster areas. APPROVED

Prop 4 would amend the constitution to ban the state from levying any income taxes on individuals. Texas already has no state income tax, and currently all income tax proposals have to be approved by voters. By making it a constitutional amendment, it raises the bar to a two-thirds majority of the legislature instead of a simple majority. APPROVED

Prop 5 would dedicate all sporting goods sales tax revenue to the state Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. Currently, the Legislature decide how much tax money goes to them. APPROVED

Prop 6 would amend the constitution to allow the legislature to double the amount of bonds that the state could give the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas(CPRIT) from $3 billion to $6 billion, and limit the state to issuing $300 million of bonds annually. CPRIT was created with Prop 15 in 2007 with the initial $3 billion, but they're expected to run out of money as soon as next year, so this would keep them going until roughly 2050. APPROVED

Prop 7 is another amendment that would double the General Land Office's(Texas' agency in charge of land and mineral rights that actually pre-dates the state itself) allowed contribution to the state education fund from $300 to $600 million. It would also allow the State Board of Education to contribute $600 million to the fund from land-related proceeds. APPROVED

Prop 8 would create the Texas Flood Infrastructure Fund, which would be used by the Water Development Board to fund things such as drainage projects, canals, levees, and river walls. APPROVED

Next, we have Prop 9. This would exempt precious metals being held in precious metal depositories from property taxes. APPROVED

Finally, we have Prop 10. This proposal would amend the constitution to allow law enforcement animals, upon their retirement, to be given to their handlers or other qualified caretakers if it's in the animals best interest. Currently, police dogs and horses and the like are classified as salvage and have to be either auctioned, donated to a charity, or put down. This would add giving them to their handlers as an option. APPROVED


First, we have SJR 8200. This is a constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to pass legislation that would change or address the lines of succession for public officials and their duties in case of catastrophic emergency such as a terrorist attack or a tsunami or an earthquake. Currently, the legislature can only do this in periods of wartime. APPROVED

Also on the ballot is Initiative 976. It was an initiative to the legislature drafted by Tim Eyman, an anti-tax conservative who's well known for referenda in Washington and in trouble for taking initiative campaign money and using it for himself, but the state legislature has adjourned for the season, so it's going to the voters. This proposal, if approved, will limit annual licence fees for all vehicles under the weight of 10,000 pounds to $30 unless approved by the voters, base all vehicle taxes on Kelley Blue Book values rather than MSRPs like now, repeal motorhome weight fees, repeal a 0.3% tax on new vehicles, get rid of some fees on electric vehicles, and repeal parts of SB 5987, passed in 2015, that allow Sound Transit(Seattle and Tacoma's transit authority) the right to levy motor vehicle excise taxes.

Washingtonians will also be voting on Referendum 88. Earlier this year, the legislature passed Initiative 1000, which amended Initiative 200 from 1998. I-200 banned the state from using Affirmative Action or preferential racial treatment. I-1000 amended that to allow Affirmative Action in Washington. Referendum 88 is a People's Veto that would overrule I-1000 and keep Affirmative Action banned in the state. A "No" vote would mean that voters support the veto while a "Yes" would uphold I-1000.
There's also 12 advisory questions, but they wont be discussed here.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:26 pm
by Tobleste
Shrillland wrote:It may be an odd-numbered year, but there are still states that need governors, ballot initiatives to go through, and byelections in Congress to happen. Needless to say, this will likely be an infrequent thread unless something big comes up like a Senate seat, but it's somewhere where all those things can come up. And we already have one coming for the spring.

Less than two weeks after the new term began, GOP Congressman Jim Marion(PA-12, State College-Susquehanna Valley) is already resigning to go to the private sector: [url]Not quite sure where this should go, but we're only two weeks into Congress and there's already a resignation: Republican Jim Marino from PA-12(State College-Susquehanna) is heading to the private sector as of the 23rd.[/url]

At the moment, there's little else to say, but we'll keep posted as things come in, I'm sure. So, you know. Thoughts, views, anything that might relate to miscellaneous votes like this one.

On the immediate subject, I think that is something of a dick move, what about you?


I am curious what #MeToo scandal will feature in a republican election/nomination this year. 2016 saw Trump, 2017 Roy Moore and 2018 Kavanaugh. Presumably, Marion's successor will be romantically involved with a squirrel.

Wrt what you said, it is a dick move to immediately abandon his voters for a job in the private sector but i doubt they're concerned. He was elected to serve the private sector. He's also a normal republican in a safe seat. He's not contributing anything special afaik.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:32 pm
by Shrillland
Tobleste wrote:
Shrillland wrote:It may be an odd-numbered year, but there are still states that need governors, ballot initiatives to go through, and byelections in Congress to happen. Needless to say, this will likely be an infrequent thread unless something big comes up like a Senate seat, but it's somewhere where all those things can come up. And we already have one coming for the spring.

Less than two weeks after the new term began, GOP Congressman Jim Marion(PA-12, State College-Susquehanna Valley) is already resigning to go to the private sector: [url]Not quite sure where this should go, but we're only two weeks into Congress and there's already a resignation: Republican Jim Marino from PA-12(State College-Susquehanna) is heading to the private sector as of the 23rd.[/url]

At the moment, there's little else to say, but we'll keep posted as things come in, I'm sure. So, you know. Thoughts, views, anything that might relate to miscellaneous votes like this one.

On the immediate subject, I think that is something of a dick move, what about you?


I am curious what #MeToo scandal will feature in a republican election/nomination this year. 2016 saw Trump, 2017 Roy Moore and 2018 Kavanaugh. Presumably, Marion's successor will be romantically involved with a squirrel.

Wrt what you said, it is a dick move to immediately abandon his voters for a job in the private sector but i doubt they're concerned. He was elected to serve the private sector. He's also a normal republican in a safe seat. He's not contributing anything special afaik.


Sorry, it's Marino, slight typo. But yes, it is quite a safe seat, R+35 from what I understand, and Marino himself has barely gone below 30-points in his margins. We've had something like that In Illinois. Our comptroller won election and then immediately decided to run for Mayor of Chicago next month, and she's actually poised to reach round two at the moment.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:34 pm
by Tobleste
Shrillland wrote:
Tobleste wrote:
I am curious what #MeToo scandal will feature in a republican election/nomination this year. 2016 saw Trump, 2017 Roy Moore and 2018 Kavanaugh. Presumably, Marion's successor will be romantically involved with a squirrel.

Wrt what you said, it is a dick move to immediately abandon his voters for a job in the private sector but i doubt they're concerned. He was elected to serve the private sector. He's also a normal republican in a safe seat. He's not contributing anything special afaik.


Sorry, it's Marino, slight typo. But yes, it is quite a safe seat, R+35 from what I understand, and Marino himself has barely gone below 30-points in his margins. We've had something like that In Illinois. Our comptroller won election and then immediately decided to run for Mayor of Chicago next month, and she's actually poised to reach round two at the moment.


I'd like to think voters would punish the party whose members did that but partisanship likely would prevent that.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:00 pm
by San Lumen
Let’s not forget there are also countless municipal and county elections. Plus Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana will be electing their state legislatures

Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi will be electing statewide officials

Next month Chicago will be electing their mayor as citywide officials along with city council

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:09 pm
by Shrillland
San Lumen wrote:Let’s not forget there are also countless municipal and county elections. Plus Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana will be electing their state legislatures

Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi will be electing statewide officials

Next month Chicago will be electing their mayor as citywide officials along with city council


Yep, the 23rd Party Congress will be on February 26, and a runoff in April, which will likely happen with Mendoza and Preckwinkle as close as they are. This will mostly be for the bigger races, so I suppose Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and a few other cities might get mentions. Also, being an odd-year, you might actually get some initiatives in New York, you guys usually do.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:11 pm
by San Lumen
Shrillland wrote:
San Lumen wrote:Let’s not forget there are also countless municipal and county elections. Plus Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana will be electing their state legislatures

Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi will be electing statewide officials

Next month Chicago will be electing their mayor as citywide officials along with city council


Yep, the 23rd Party Congress will be on February 26, and a runoff in April, which will likely happen with Mendoza and Preckwinkle as close as they are. This will mostly be for the bigger races, so I suppose Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and a few other cities might get mentions. Also, being an odd-year, you might actually get some initiatives in New York, you guys usually do.

I’m not aware of any as constitutional amendments have to be voted on in two consecutive sessions of the legislature I believe.

Has Chicago ever had a female mayor?

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:13 pm
by Shrillland
San Lumen wrote:
Shrillland wrote:
Yep, the 23rd Party Congress will be on February 26, and a runoff in April, which will likely happen with Mendoza and Preckwinkle as close as they are. This will mostly be for the bigger races, so I suppose Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and a few other cities might get mentions. Also, being an odd-year, you might actually get some initiatives in New York, you guys usually do.

I’m not aware of any as constitutional amendments have to be voted on in two consecutive sessions of the legislature I believe.

Has Chicago ever had a female mayor?


Yes, they have. Jane Byrne back in '79. Democrat like all the others since 1927. She was good at it, too, she opened the city up like it hadn't been opened in nearly 40 years and allowed TV shows and films to be made there, something Richard J. Daley abhorred with a passion. She only lasted one term though, Harold Washington got in in '83 after she and Richard M. Daley split the white vote. The general election was the closest Chicago got to electing a Republican mayor in decades.

EDIT: Not we obviously, I live downstate.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:15 pm
by San Lumen
Shrillland wrote:
San Lumen wrote:I’m not aware of any as constitutional amendments have to be voted on in two consecutive sessions of the legislature I believe.

Has Chicago ever had a female mayor?


Yes, we have. Jane Byrne back in '79. Democrat like all the others since 1927. She only lasted one term though, Harold Washington got in in '83 after she and Richard M. split the white vote. The general election was the closest Chicago got to electing a Republican mayor in decades.

I did not know that. New York has never had a female mayor. Several have gotten the nomination but though

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:16 pm
by Thermodolia
Shrillland wrote:
San Lumen wrote:Let’s not forget there are also countless municipal and county elections. Plus Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana will be electing their state legislatures

Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi will be electing statewide officials

Next month Chicago will be electing their mayor as citywide officials along with city council


Yep, the 23rd Party Congress will be on February 26, and a runoff in April, which will likely happen with Mendoza and Preckwinkle as close as they are. This will mostly be for the bigger races, so I suppose Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and a few other cities might get mentions. Also, being an odd-year, you might actually get some initiatives in New York, you guys usually do.

There is no way that’s a real name

PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:17 pm
by San Lumen
Thermodolia wrote:
Shrillland wrote:
Yep, the 23rd Party Congress will be on February 26, and a runoff in April, which will likely happen with Mendoza and Preckwinkle as close as they are. This will mostly be for the bigger races, so I suppose Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and a few other cities might get mentions. Also, being an odd-year, you might actually get some initiatives in New York, you guys usually do.

There is no way that’s a real name

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Preckwinkle

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:50 pm
by San Lumen
There are also special elections for state legislatives seats throughout the year and there is always the possibility of Congressional special elections.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 22, 2019 9:28 pm
by Shrillland
San Lumen wrote:There are also special elections for state legislatives seats throughout the year and there is always the possibility of Congressional special elections.


We already have one byelection coming up in March for State College-Susquehanna, we just don't know who'll be running, it's a safe red seat anyway. There's also the continuing saga of the rigged vote in Charlotte-Fayetteville, but we still don't know how that will end. As for state legislatures, you can add them if you like, but they don't seem all that big to put on here for me.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:54 am
by San Lumen
Shrillland wrote:
San Lumen wrote:There are also special elections for state legislatives seats throughout the year and there is always the possibility of Congressional special elections.


We already have one byelection coming up in March for State College-Susquehanna, we just don't know who'll be running, it's a safe red seat anyway. There's also the continuing saga of the rigged vote in Charlotte-Fayetteville, but we still don't know how that will end. As for state legislatures, you can add them if you like, but they don't seem all that big to put on here for me.


Well there are five special elections at the end of February in Connecticut but they are all safe democratic districts save for one

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:45 pm
by Shrillland
The State College-Susquehanna byelection will be on May 21: http://www.politicspa.com/pa12-special-election-to-replace-marino-set-for-may-21/90144/

PostPosted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 2:21 pm
by San Lumen
Shrillland wrote:The State College-Susquehanna byelection will be on May 21: http://www.politicspa.com/pa12-special-election-to-replace-marino-set-for-may-21/90144/


Its a very red seat so its very doubtful it flips

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 3:54 pm
by San Lumen
There is a special election on February 19th for the Virginia House of Delegates in Fairfax county. It should be a safe district but with the scandal involving the three statewide officials who knows what could happen?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 08, 2019 4:23 pm
by Shrillland
San Lumen wrote:There is a special election on February 19th for the Virginia House of Delegates in Fairfax county. It should be a safe district but with the scandal involving the three statewide officials who knows what could happen?


Four actually. I'm not normally one for such small-scale votes, but we'll see how it goes.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:57 pm
by Outer Sparta
Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana all have intriguing governor races despite all of them in the south and all of them deep red states.

Kentucky: Matt Bevin vs. Rocky Adkins/Andy Beshear/Matt Edelen
Mississippi: Tate Reeves (most likely R nominee) vs. Jim Hood
Louisiana John Bel Edwards (D) vs. who knows from the R field.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:07 pm
by San Lumen
Shrillland wrote:
San Lumen wrote:There is a special election on February 19th for the Virginia House of Delegates in Fairfax county. It should be a safe district but with the scandal involving the three statewide officials who knows what could happen?


Four actually. I'm not normally one for such small-scale votes, but we'll see how it goes.

They can be quite predictive believe it or not of the popularity of a executive and the national trend
Outer Sparta wrote:Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana all have intriguing governor races despite all of them in the south and all of them deep red states.

Kentucky: Matt Bevin vs. Rocky Adkins/Andy Beshear/Matt Edelen
Mississippi: Tate Reeves (most likely R nominee) vs. Jim Hood
Louisiana John Bel Edwards (D) vs. who knows from the R field.


Kentucky could very well flip as Bevin is very unpopular and Louisiana is probably lean D

Mississippi is a whole other ballgame. Its probingly lean Republican but Democrats have a excellent candidate in Jin Hood. Hood however could be screwed over by a Jim Crow era law that requires a candidate to win a majority of the State House districts a very difficult feat for a Democrat to pull off. It neither candidate wins a majority of seats the election is thrown to the state legislature who even if Hood won the most votes could give the election to the Republican.

Hopefully the law is challenged in court as a violation one man, one vote which it almost certainly is.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:26 pm
by Outer Sparta
San Lumen wrote:
Shrillland wrote:
Four actually. I'm not normally one for such small-scale votes, but we'll see how it goes.

They can be quite predictive believe it or not of the popularity of a executive and the national trend
Outer Sparta wrote:Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana all have intriguing governor races despite all of them in the south and all of them deep red states.

Kentucky: Matt Bevin vs. Rocky Adkins/Andy Beshear/Matt Edelen
Mississippi: Tate Reeves (most likely R nominee) vs. Jim Hood
Louisiana John Bel Edwards (D) vs. who knows from the R field.


Kentucky could very well flip as Bevin is very unpopular and Louisiana is probably lean D

Mississippi is a whole other ballgame. Its probingly lean Republican but Democrats have a excellent candidate in Jin Hood. Hood however could be screwed over by a Jim Crow era law that requires a candidate to win a majority of the State House districts a very difficult feat for a Democrat to pull off. It neither candidate wins a majority of seats the election is thrown to the state legislature who even if Hood won the most votes could give the election to the Republican.

Hopefully the law is challenged in court as a violation one man, one vote which it almost certainly is.

The thing is it's Mississippi and they seem to be way behind the rest of the country. They didn't ratify the 13th until 1995 or something and these election laws are just archaic.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:27 pm
by San Lumen
Outer Sparta wrote:
San Lumen wrote:They can be quite predictive believe it or not of the popularity of a executive and the national trend

Kentucky could very well flip as Bevin is very unpopular and Louisiana is probably lean D

Mississippi is a whole other ballgame. Its probingly lean Republican but Democrats have a excellent candidate in Jin Hood. Hood however could be screwed over by a Jim Crow era law that requires a candidate to win a majority of the State House districts a very difficult feat for a Democrat to pull off. It neither candidate wins a majority of seats the election is thrown to the state legislature who even if Hood won the most votes could give the election to the Republican.

Hopefully the law is challenged in court as a violation one man, one vote which it almost certainly is.

The thing is it's Mississippi and they seem to be way behind the rest of the country. They didn't ratify the 13th until 1995 or something and these election laws are just archaic.


They sure do. its a unfair and likely unconstitutional law and should be overturned in court.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:30 pm
by Outer Sparta
San Lumen wrote:
Outer Sparta wrote:The thing is it's Mississippi and they seem to be way behind the rest of the country. They didn't ratify the 13th until 1995 or something and these election laws are just archaic.


They sure do. its a unfair and likely unconstitutional law and should be overturned in court.

The only way I know about these 2019 races and such is because I tune into Reddit lol.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:32 pm
by San Lumen
Outer Sparta wrote:
San Lumen wrote:
They sure do. its a unfair and likely unconstitutional law and should be overturned in court.

The only way I know about these 2019 races and such is because I tune into Reddit lol.


I never use it.

and I meant to say regarding special elections they are often seen as referendums on the executive branch in a state and can be very predictive of the national trend. Connecticut will have five special elections for the state legislature February 26th after the incumbents resigned to take positions in Ned Lamont's administration

Plus there is a special election the same date as the Chicago Mayoral election for New York City Public Advocate due to the incumbent's Letita James's resignation due to being elected Attorney General.

The election is unique in that the race is technically non-partisan. Each candidate creates their own party line that cannot resemble an existing political party which is NYC law for special elections. There are seventeen candidates and only two are registered Republicans. There will a special primary in June to decide the candidates for the special general election in November to fill out the remainder of the term which expires in 2021.

PostPosted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:18 am
by Shrillland
San Lumen wrote:
Shrillland wrote:
Four actually. I'm not normally one for such small-scale votes, but we'll see how it goes.

They can be quite predictive believe it or not of the popularity of a executive and the national trend
Outer Sparta wrote:Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana all have intriguing governor races despite all of them in the south and all of them deep red states.

Kentucky: Matt Bevin vs. Rocky Adkins/Andy Beshear/Matt Edelen
Mississippi: Tate Reeves (most likely R nominee) vs. Jim Hood
Louisiana John Bel Edwards (D) vs. who knows from the R field.


Kentucky could very well flip as Bevin is very unpopular and Louisiana is probably lean D

Mississippi is a whole other ballgame. Its probingly lean Republican but Democrats have a excellent candidate in Jin Hood. Hood however could be screwed over by a Jim Crow era law that requires a candidate to win a majority of the State House districts a very difficult feat for a Democrat to pull off. It neither candidate wins a majority of seats the election is thrown to the state legislature who even if Hood won the most votes could give the election to the Republican.

Hopefully the law is challenged in court as a violation one man, one vote which it almost certainly is.



Where are you getting this, I'm not seeing it anywhere.

EDIT: Never mind, I found it.
Last time this happened was in 1999, for anyone interested, and the prevailing opinion at the time was that the popular vote winner should get the House's nod, but this is a different world from that time.