A.2001: US Senate Vacancy Reform
Resources
Bill
Text
Bill Memo
US Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on Constitutional
Amendment Concerning Senate Vacancies
"NY Assembly bill calls for Senate vacancy election," AP
"NY lawmakers: Voters should choose senator, not guv," Newsday
Summary
Directs the governor to issue a writ
of election when there is a vacancy in the office of United
States senator, and also makes a temporary appointment to such
vacancy until the special election to fill the vacancy is held.
Further Reading
A guide to current
state laws for filling vacant US Senate seats from the
Council of State Governments.
Reform Efforts
Illinois
HB6733
Provides for
special primaries and elections to fill vacancies following the 2008
general election and occurring on or before January 1, 2009 in the
office of United States Senator. Makes implementing and conforming
changes. These provisions are repealed on January 1, 2010. Effective
immediately.
Chicago Defender: Special election is the only just solution
Chicago Tribune: About that Senate seat
Minnesota
ABC: Minn. lawmakers propose voters fill Senate vacancies
Editorial: Voters should decide who fills Senate seats
Connecticut
H.B. No. 5663
(2008 Session)
State Considers Ways to fill US Senate Vacancies
Connecticut Officials Want to Fill US Senate Vacancies
New Britain Politics
Editorial Pages from Around the Country;
Albany Times Union: Yes, an election for the Senate
Washington Post: About That Special Election
Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA): OUR OPINION: Let the voters decide on
their senators
Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, ND): OUR OPINION: Let voters, not
governors, fill Senate vacancies
Moultrie Observer (Moultrie, GA): The easy answer is not to appoint,
but rather to elect
