Sponsor Statement for SB 307

"An Act relating to conditions for filling vacancies to the office of United States Senator"

Under current law, when a United State senate seat becomes vacant before the term is served, there is no requirement that the vacancy be filled by a person of the same party of the previous occupant. As a result, a governor may appoint whomever they choose, without regard to the position expressed by the voters in the previous election.

Passage of SB 307 would establish a requirement that the person appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy in the office of United States senator shall be of the same political party as that which nominated the predecessor in office. This amendment to AS 15.40.010 would bring the conditions for filling a vacancy for the office of United States senator in line with the requirements for filling vacancies for the offices of the state representative and state senator.

By changing this statute we can; as the states of Hawaii, Arizona and Utah have already done; ensure that the will of the voters, as expressed in the previous election, would not be subverted through the appointment of a person of a different party and philosophy than the individual the appointee is replacing.

last updated 3/2/98

Sponsor Statement for Senate Bill 307

"An Act relating to conditions for filling vacancies to the office of United States senator"

Under current law, when a United State senate seat becomes vacant before the term is served, there is no requirement that the vacancy be filled by a person of the same party of the previous occupant. As a result, a governor may appoint whomever they choose, without regard to the position expressed by the voters in the previous election.

Passage of SB 307 would establish a requirement that the person appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy in the office of United States senator shall be of the same political party as that which nominated the predecessor in office. This amendment to AS 15.40.010 would bring the conditions for filling a vacancy for the office of United States senator in line with the requirements for filling vacancies for the offices of the state representative and state senator.

By changing this statute we can; as the states of Hawaii, Arizona and Utah have already done; ensure that the will of the voters, as expressed in the previous election, would not be subverted through the appointment of a person of a different party and philosophy than the individual the appointee is replacing.