Filling Senate Vacancies (Palin could potentially name Stevens's successor)

[Lancer]

From C-SPAN:

Vacancies in the House of Representatives are filled pursuant to Article I, section 2 of the Constitution, and in the Senate, pursuant to section 3. The Governor of each state affected by a House vacancy must set a date for a special election to fill the vacancy. Senate vacancies, however, can be filled either by appointment of the Governor, or by a special election scheduled by the Governor, depending on the respective state's law. Forty-nine of the 50 states have given their Governor appointment authority in the event of a Senate vacancy (Arizona is the exception). Nominating procedures, and sometimes scheduling mandates, for special elections are further set by state law.

http://www.cspan.org/questions/weekly86.asp

I didn't know that Governors in almost all the states could fill Senate vacancies. At least, they have the power to do so. I wonder how many states opt for a special election instead? And does the special election provision guarantee that the Senator's successor will be of the same party?

[billyoc]

1. Alaska doesn't do gubernatorial appointments since the Murkowski spectacle.

[onenote]

2. that article is out of date -- alaska changed its law

no appointment to fill vacancy -- only special election

[biopowertoday]

7. - 6/6/01 is the published date.

[Lancer]

3. I'm behind the times. Thanks guys. I wish I could delete this.

[tanyev]

4. You can alert on yourself and ask the mods to delete.

[MichiganVote]

5. Bet its her husband.

[biopowertoday]

6. Actually, regarding IL, the Dems all called for re-elections, then

a few short weeks later, they realized the Republicans might just win. So they backed off and Blango seated a Dem.