HB 174 would require special elections in some legislative vacancies; sponsor frames it as restoring voter input

House Bill 174 would place a constitutional amendment before voters to require special elections, in some circumstances, to fill legislative vacancies rather than relying solely on gubernatorial appointment from party central-committee recommendations.

Under the sponsor’s plan, if a vacancy occurs 55 days or more before the candidate-filing deadline that precedes the midterm point of a four-year legislative term, an appointee would serve only until a special election held in the already-scheduled presidential-year primaries and general elections at the midterm of that legislative term. Vacancies that occur late in a term (more than two years into the term) would remain filled by appointment and not be subject to the special-election requirement.

Delegate Linda Foley said the proposal balances continuity (appointments) with democratic input by voters at regularly scheduled elections; she noted similar provisions exist in 31 other states and framed the bill as a restoration of earlier practice. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters and other civic groups testified in favor; sponsors said the amendment would give voters a periodic opportunity to weigh in on interim appointments without requiring standalone special elections with likely low turnout.

Ending note: Supporters urged a favorable report so the amendment could proceed to a public vote; no committee action was recorded during the hearing.