Proof that voters might want to do a little more research before heading to the polls: Dead candidates won races in three separate states in recent elections.
In Alabama, Charles Beasley was running for a seat on the Bibb Country Commission, AL.com reports.
He passed away on October 12, but on Election Day his name stayed on the ballot. He snagged the 51.7 percent of the votes despite running against Walter Sansing, a Democrat incumbent who beat Beasley in 2008… and, you know, despite not being alive.
Beasley's widow, Sarah, was naturally shocked that so many people punched the ballot for her husband.
The Bibb Country Commission said that typically in this situation, the winning party makes a recommendation and that person is appointed to the position.
The second case of the dead candidate happened in Miami.
Earl K. Wood was running for Orange County's tax collector, and his name remained on the ballot even though the 96-year-old had passed away in October, the Miami New Times reports .
Not only did Wood win the election, he won it comfortably with a 56-to-44 margin, the article reports.
The local Democratic Party had already decided how to handle the situation. Even though Wood's name stayed on the ballot, every vote for the 96-year-old would count for Scott Randolph, a state legislator.
Dead men don't only collect votes in the south.
In Rochester, Minnesota, the City Council President collected 51 percent of the votes, even though he died four months before Election Day, Brainer Dispatch reports.
Hanson died of a brain aneurysm in June, after he had filed for re-election.
According to Minnesota state law, Hanson's name had to be left on the ballot. His supporters continued campaigning, and Hanson's team prevailed. The city will likely host a special election in the spring to find a replacement.
