Senate Vacancy
State Representative Tim O’Brien introduced a proposal that would give the power to fill a vacant Senate seat to the people. Considering that our state that has a recent tendency toward Republican governors and Republican-kissing U.S. Senators, O’Brien’s proposal to mandate that Senate vacancies are filled by means of a special election is especially important.
I like the idea of same party replacement because it seems fair to both sides, but what happens in the case of Joe Lieberman, who was elected on the Connecticut for Lieberman party line, is registered as a Democrat, and wishes to be labeled as an Independent?
Here’s O’Brien’s proposal S.B. 5034, which I found by way of CtLiberal’s post at My Left Nutmeg:
Proposed Bill No. 5034
January Session, 2007
LCO No. 432
Referred to Committee on Government Administration and Elections
Introduced by:
REP. O’BRIEN, 24th Dist.
AN ACT CONCERNING VACANCIES IN THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR FOR THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
That section 9-211 of the general statutes be amended to change the process for filling a vacancy in the office of senator in Congress to make the process the same as that used to fill vacancies for the office of representative in Congress.
Statement of Purpose:
To ensure that vacancies in the office of senator in Congress are filled by means of a democratic election without undue delay.
If you want to contact State Rep. Tim O’Brien regarding this proposal, click here.