With the resignations of Delegates Bob Brink and Algie Howell, the residents of the 48th and 90th Districts must choose their new delegate. Rather than give those people time to select and nominate candidates in a thoughtful, democratic process, Speaker Howell has chosen to play crass political games. Today, he set the date of the special elections for August 19th, requiring parties to have their nominees filed by July 7th. By doing this, Speaker Howell has chosen partisanship over common sense, giving the minimum time possible to two heavily Democratic districts during the late summer when the General Assembly isn't even in session. So now, with 6 days notice, parties in both districts will have to convene caucuses over the holiday weekend to select their candidates. This ensures the minimum participation possible and destroys any vesitige of a real democratic process. Speaker Howell, stop the games. Give the people of Virginia time to make educated, democratic decisions about the people who represent them.