Minnesota state legislative special elections, 2016
Two seats were vacated in the Minnesota State Legislature in 2016. Both seats were filled through special elections.
Vacancies filled
- State Senate District 35: The seat was vacant following Branden Petersen's (R) resignation on October 31, 2015.
- State House District 50B: The seat was vacant following Ann Lenczewski's (D) resignation on December 15.
Breakdown of 2016 special elections
Across the country in 2016, special elections for state legislative positions were held for a variety of reasons:
- 23 were due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
- 11 were due to a retirement
- 11 were due to the incumbent accepting another job
- 12 were due to a death
- 4 were due to a conviction
- 3 were due to filling a remaining term
- 1 was due to an expulsion
The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:
- 37 Democratic seats
- 28 Republican seats
Partisan Change from Special Elections | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of Vacancy | After Special Election | |
Democratic Party | 37 | 39 | |
Republican Party | 28 | 24 | |
Independent | 0 | 2 | |
Total | 65 | 65 |
Note: The table above reflected information for elections that were held—not total vacant seats.
How vacancies are filled
Vacancies in the Minnesota State Legislature are filled through election. If there are more than 150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session before the results are canvassed, then any vacancy is filled at the next state general election.[1][2]
If the vacancy happens during the legislative session, the governor has five days to issue a writ calling for a special election. The election must take place no more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. If the legislature is out of session and there are fewer than 150 days before the next state general election, the governor must call for a special election so the winner of the election can take office when the legislature reconvenes.[2][3]
See sources: Minnesota Cons. Art. 4, § 4 and Minnesota Stat. § 204D.19
Special elections
February 9, 2016
☑ Minnesota State Senate District 35 | |||||||||||||
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A special election for the position of Minnesota State Senate District 35 was called for February 9, 2016. A primary election took place on January 12, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 14, 2015. The seat was vacant following Branden Petersen's (R) resignation on October 31, 2015. He resigned because of the long hours and low pay for legislators.[4] Jim Abeler defeated Andy Aplikowski in the Republican primary.[5] Abeler defeated Roger Johnson (DFL) and Zachary Phelps (Legal Marijuana Now) in the special election.[6][7]
|
☑ Minnesota House of Representatives District 50B | |
---|---|
A special election for the position of Minnesota House of Representatives District 50B was called for February 9, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 14, 2015.[8] The seat was vacant following Ann Lenczewski's (D) resignation on December 15.[9] Andrew Carlson (DFL) was defeated by Chad Anderson (R) in the special election.[10][11]
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See also
- State legislative special elections, 2016
- State legislative special elections, 2015
- Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016
- Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012
- Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2012
- Minnesota State Legislature
- Minnesota state legislative special elections: 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "Constitution of the State of Minnesota," accessed February 12, 2021 (Article 4, Section 4)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021 (Statute 204D.19 (1)-(3))
- ↑ Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, "2020 Minnesota Statutes," accessed February 12, 2021 (Statute 204B.13)
- ↑ startribune.com, "Sen. Petersen announces resignation after two terms in Minnesota Legislature," accessed September 24, 2015
- ↑ CBS Minnesota, "Jim Abeler Wins GOP Nomination In Special Senate Election," accessed January 13, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for State Senator District 35," accessed February 10, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Senate District 35 Special Election," accessed December 16, 2015
- ↑ Minnesota Public Radio, "Special election scheduled for Lenczewski House seat," accessed December 1, 2015
- ↑ StarTribune, "Ann Lenczewski's thoughts on taxes, after 17 years in the Legislature," accessed December 1, 2015
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for State Representative District 50B," accessed February 10, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Legislative District 50B Special Election," accessed December 16, 2015
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