Interesting piece by Linton Weeks in the Post today about the Virginia gubernatorial race—or, more accurately, why people aren’t very interested in it. It’s good to see that I’m not the only person who was thoroughly uninspired by the candidates this year.
In addition to this race’s specifics, it also talks about some of the Virginia electoral oddities. For example, we’re one of only a few states that hold our elections in ‘off-off’ years (years without any national races) and we’re the only state that does not allow consecutive reelection (so our candidates are usually new, relatively-unfamiliar faces).
That most local offices are uncontested (thanks, gerrymandering!) doesn’t help matters either.
- Virginia’s Quadrennial Dilemma: Whosis or Whatsizname? (Washington Post; free registration may be required).