Welcome to the Tuesday, August 17, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- 46 years ago today, Missouri voters approved limiting governors to two terms
- Vice President Harris has cast eight tie-breaking votes so far in the Senate
- Aug. 16 was the deadline for California counties to mail out ballots in recall election of Gov. Newsom
46 years ago today, Missouri voters approved limiting governors to two terms
Forty-six years ago—on Aug. 17, 1965—Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment that established term limits for the governor. The Missouri Governor Term Limits Amendment limits a governor to two consecutive terms, or one full term if they serve more than two years of the previous officeholder’s term. Voters approved the measure, 73% to 27%.
The amendment’s second provision applies to Missouri’s current governor—Mike Parson (R)—and it means that he is ineligible to be re-elected governor in 2024. Parson assumed office on June 1, 2018, following the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens (R), and served more than two years of Greitens’ term from May 2018 to January 2021. Parson was then elected to a full four-year term in 2020, but is now term-limited.
The governors of 36 states are subject to some type of term limits, which can be either lifetime or consecutive, and may be based on years or terms served.
- In the 28 states where the limits are consecutive, an incumbent is ineligible to run again after serving the maximum number of terms or years in office. In most cases, the person may be able to run for another elected position. After a period of time out of office, usually four years, the person is allowed to run for governor again.
- Eight states have a lifetime gubernatorial term limit. Once a governor has served the maximum allowable number of terms in office, that person may never again run for or hold the office of governor.
Vice President Harris has cast eight tie-breaking votes so far in the Senate
Vice President Kamala Harris (D) has so far cast eight tie-breaking votes in the Senate. Her two most recent tie-breaking votes were to invoke cloture and then confirm Jennifer Abruzzo on July 20 and 21 as general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.
Under Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution, the vice president of the United States also serves as the president of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president may cast the deciding vote when there is a tie in the Senate.
John Adams cast the first tie-breaking vote on July 18, 1789. As of July 21, 2021, 37 vice presidents had cast 276 tie-breaking votes. Twelve vice presidents, including Joe Biden and Dan Quayle, never cast a tie-breaking vote during their time in office.
Harris’ eight tie-breaking votes are tied for the second-most such votes by vice presidents since 1981. Among all vice presidents, 14—including Harris—have cast eight or more Senate tie-breaking votes.
Aug. 16 was the deadline for California counties to mail out ballots in recall election of Gov. Newsom
Yesterday—Aug. 16—was the deadline for California counties to mail ballots to all registered voters for the Sept. 14 recall targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). All registered voters will receive ballots for this election by mail. Counties that allow voters to cast their ballots in person before the election may open such centers from Sept. 4 to Sept. 10.
Voters who are not currently registered must do so by Aug. 30 to vote in the recall election.
Ballots for the recall election will have two questions. The first will ask whether Newsom should be recalled as governor. The second will ask who should succeed Newsom if he is recalled. If a majority votes “yes” on the first question, Newsom will be recalled, and the candidate receiving the most votes on the second question will become governor.
Forty-six candidates, including nine Democrats and 24 Republicans, will appear on the ballot. The filing deadline for write-in candidates is Aug. 31.