Here’s the story of one seriously surprised mayor of Argonia,  Kansas. Elected mayor and the candidate didn’t even know their name was on the ballot.

In 1887, the rules for elections did not require that the names of those on the ballot were made public until Election Day. The inclusion of this surprised candidate's name was done a prank, a joke, if you will, by political rivals trying to make a point that the consideration of such a candidate was foolish.

The name placed on the ballot as a prank, as a ploy to humiliate, backfired - big time. 

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