This, Jim, is stated peculiarly like a Judge ruling on the matter. :) But alas, you are not a Judge and neither am I. You have your opinion. Mine is different.   

Likewise, as for what may or may not be a "substantial foundation" for a (legal) position (mine or yours), only Courts get to decide that. I will simply share that Courts, in my experience, are loathe to set aside statutory language (or the absence of it) in favor of some notion of how things may have changed. Under the statute, the "general election" plainly occurs on a single date, not over a period of time.      

In any event, I appreciate your views . . . 

-BB