In Ireland the dead have been known to vote early and often, but only in the US, it appears, can the dead get elected, Patrick Smyth writes.
The widow of the Missouri Democratic Governor, Mr Mel Carnahan, has said that she would accept the new governor's offer of appointment to the Senate if her husband, who died in a plane crash two weeks ago but whose name is still on the ballot paper, is elected.
Ms Jean Carnahan told a press conference at her family home in Rolla, Missouri, last week that she had "decided to do what I think Mel would want all of us to do, to keep the cause alive".
Mr Mel Carnahan, a two-term Democratic governor, died while campaigning for the US Senate seat held by Republican Mr John Ashcroft that was seen as neck and neck. Since his death polls have shown Mr Carnahan initially leading by between five and 11 percentage points. Yesterday they were level again.
Mr Carnahan's death came too late for his name to be replaced on the ballot but the Missouri Governor, Mr Roger Wilson, a Democrat, said he would appoint Mr Carnahan's widow to fill the Senate seat should Mr Carnahan win.
Ms Carnahan, who has never held public office, announced she would accept that offer. "A vote for Mel Carnahan is a vote they can make," she said. "They still have a choice."
Mr Ashcroft has toned down his campaign avoiding direct criticism of Ms Carnahan who has not been appearing at public rallies.
Republicans in the state have been raising questions privately about whether Mr Carnahan's election, should he outpoll Mr Ashcroft, would be legal.