Stitchmond t1_ja6k1i3 wrote on February 27, 2023 at 5:21 AM

Reply to comment by coconut_sorbet in Del. Lamont Bagby receives Democratic nomination in SD-09 by Mad-Lad-of-RVA

What if when you die your seat isn't filled until the next normal election time? Dying means your party loses a vote. I feel like that'd end up with fewer old people in congress.

Mad-Lad-of-RVA OP t1_ja6kk6f wrote on February 27, 2023 at 5:27 AM

That sounds stupid. If you want to get people to stop electing elderly candidates, then set a maximum age restriction, like the minimum age restrictions we already have on the books. We should never take away people's representation as a half-baked "punishment."

Stitchmond t1_ja6nasa wrote on February 27, 2023 at 5:56 AM

I'm not advocating it, I'm just wondering what sort of affect such an act would have.

CRothg t1_ja816cr wrote on February 27, 2023 at 3:14 PM

First of all, people die from more than just old age or illness. Second, replacing a deceased representative isn’t really about maintaining a balance of power between two parties, it’s about ensuring that all constituents in every district have full representation in government.

Stitchmond t1_ja8addb wrote on February 27, 2023 at 4:16 PM

Yeah I bet old age is one of the less likely causes of death for a congressperson. I'm not advocating for this I'm just wondering how it would affect government business and the division of power.

lycosid t1_ja7ifhs wrote on February 27, 2023 at 12:41 PM

The Supreme Court’s composition is determined by when people die and the discourse is so ghoulish whenever a justice is sick or elderly.