Fact check: Can state governors unilaterally postpone or cancel elections without voter input?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, state governors generally cannot unilaterally postpone or cancel elections without proper legal authority. The evidence shows that the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures the power to set the time of elections, subject to any laws Congress enacts ^[1]. Additionally, only Congress can change a presidential election's date, not the president ^[2], and the presidential election cannot be canceled, as the Constitution requires that presidential elections take place ^[3].

However, there is one documented exception during emergency circumstances: Missouri Governor Mike Parson postponed the state's municipal elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing a state of emergency and the need to protect public health ^[4]. This indicates that in certain circumstances, a governor may have the authority to postpone elections ^[4], but this appears to be limited to specific emergency situations and likely requires legal justification.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context:

• The distinction between different types of elections - The analyses reveal that presidential elections have different constitutional protections than state and local elections. Presidential elections are specifically protected by the Constitution ^[3], while state and local elections may have different rules.
• Emergency powers and their limitations - The question doesn't address when emergency powers might come into play. The Missouri example shows that emergency declarations can provide governors with temporary authority to postpone elections ^[4], but this is not the same as unilateral cancellation.
• The role of state legislatures - The question overlooks that state legislatures, not governors, have the primary constitutional authority over election timing ^[1].
• Federal vs. state election authority - The analyses show that Congress has ultimate authority over federal election dates ^[2], which limits gubernatorial power significantly.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that could be misleading:

• The phrase "unilaterally postpone or cancel elections" suggests governors might have broad, unchecked power over elections, when the evidence shows their authority is actually quite limited and subject to constitutional constraints.
• The question doesn't distinguish between postponement and cancellation - the analyses suggest that while temporary postponement might be possible under emergency conditions ^[4], outright cancellation appears to be constitutionally prohibited, especially for presidential elections ^[3].
• The framing implies this might be a common or easily exercised power, when the evidence suggests it would be an extraordinary measure requiring specific legal justification, as demonstrated by the Missouri COVID-19 example ^[4].

The question would benefit from more precise language about the types of elections, circumstances, and legal frameworks involved.