This bill requires the Governor to appoint a United States Senator when a vacancy in the office occurs. Requires that the appointed Senator be of the same political party as the elected Senator who vacated the office. Requires the appointment to end when the term of office ends or when a replacement is elected, whichever comes first.

Currently a special election is held if more than 61 days before an election. This is a step towards voters losing control of Senate elections. History has shown that judges resign just prior to deadline so the Governor can appoint a replacement, which gives them an advantage in the next election. The Governor is required to fill from the same party, but that is open for manipulation appointing weak candidates if of the opposite party.

Thanks to Thom Bradley for pointing out it’s unconstitutional. “The US Constitution makes it very clear that only legislative assemblies of the several States can elect senators. That was true until I believe 1916. It was amended to allow popular vote of senators. Nowhere in the original Constitution or the amendment that followed gave governors any authority to fill Senate vacancies.”