HB 17 changes how Alabama fills a vacancy in the U.S. Senate by requiring the Governor to appoint a temporary senator and to schedule the remainder-of-term election for the next general election, with specific timing rules for close-to-term vacancies.
If a vacancy exists, the Governor must appoint a person to serve as U.S. Senator until a successor is elected and qualified. The Governor must issue a writ of election to fill the remainder of the term at the next general election occurring more than one year after the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs within 76 days of the general election before the end of the term, the election proceeds and if the incumbent who vacated the seat wins, a vacancy remains and the Governor must appoint someone to fill the seat until the next general election. The act repeals the previous provision in Section 36-9-8 and takes effect immediately after passage.
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections second Amendment Offered
Pending third reading on day 13 Favorable from Constitution, Ethics and Elections
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Constitution, Ethics and Elections
Engrossed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 78
Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 77
Clouse Amendment Offered
Clouse motion to Table adopted Roll Call 76
Clouse motion to Table adopted Roll Call 75
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Amendment to CCE Amdt Offered
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Amendment Offered
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar 2 amendments
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Source: Alabama Legislature