The Gov appoints the next senator but there's a special election for Rahmmy's seat? Huh?

Clio the Leo

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Tue Dec-30-08 09:42 AM
Original message

The Gov appoints the next senator but there's a special election for Rahmmy's seat? Huh?

The chic on MSNBC .... not Tamron ... and not the blonde .... the other chic .... you know ..... anyway, just said that Rahm is going to officially resign his congressional seat next Monday (I think) and "that will set the stage for a special election to replace him."

So when a rep. resigns there's a special election but when a senator needs to be replaced he's appointed by the governor? Huh? Are we just making this up as we go along? :)

Does this vary from state to state, is it a cost-saving measure? Anyone know?

I fully confess my lack of desire to want to Google the answer. Sometimes I'd just rather hear stuff from you all. :)

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dsc

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Tue Dec-30-08 09:44 AM
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1. It has to do with how the people were chosen in the first place

Senators used to be appointed by the legislature, which wasn't always in session, so if a vacancy occured it made sense to have the gov appoint a temporary replacement. House seats have always been popularly filled so there it made sense to have a new election and just leave the seat vacant for a time.

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Clio the Leo

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Tue Dec-30-08 09:46 AM
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2. ah .... makes sense .... thank you. NT

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Freddie Stubbs

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Tue Dec-30-08 09:57 AM
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3. Read the Constitution:

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

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