State legislative vacancies, 2020
From Ballotpedia
| 2020 State Legislative Vacancies | |
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In 2020, there were 146 state legislative vacancies in 42 states.
The process for filling vacancies varies among the state legislatures. Twenty-five states fill vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. Twenty-one states fill vacancies through appointments, and four states fill vacancies through a hybrid system that uses both appointments and special elections. The most common reasons for a state legislative vacancy include officeholders resigning, dying, leaving for a new job, being elected or appointed to a different office, or receiving a legal conviction.
- Click here to read more about procedures for filling state legislative vacancies.
- Click here to read more about 2020's regular state legislative elections.
- Click here to read more about 2020's special state legislative elections.
The table below details the partisan breakdown for state legislative vacancies in 2020. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party held after the special elections and appointments took place.
| Partisan breakdown of the vacancies (2020) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of vacancy | After vacancy | |
| Democratic Party | |||
| Republican Party | |||
| Independent | |||
| Total | 146 | 146 | |
Click here for the list of special elections triggered by a state legislative vacancy in 2020.
Current and past vacancies
The table below highlights each instance where a state legislative vacancy triggered a replacement via appointment or special election in 2020. Know of a vacancy that should be covered here? Click here to let us know.
| 2020 state legislative vacancies | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of vacancy | Office | Legislator | Party | Reason | Vacancy procedure | Date filled | Successor |
| December 31, 2020 | New Jersey General Assembly District 18 | Nancy Pinkin | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | January 27, 2021 | Sterley Stanley (D) |
| December 31, 2020 | Oklahoma Senate District 22 | Stephanie Bice | Republican | Elevation | Special election | April 14, 2021 | Jake Merrick (R) |
| December 31, 2020 | Michigan Senate District 8 | Peter Lucido | Republican | Elevation | Special election | November 10, 2021 | Douglas Wozniak (R) |
| December 31, 2020 | Illinois Senate District 44 | Bill Brady | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | January 23, 2021 | Sally Turner (R) |
| December 31, 2020 | North Carolina Senate District 17 | Sam Searcy | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 13, 2021 | Sydney Batch (D) |
| December 30, 2020 | Utah House District 10 | LaWanna Shurtliff | Democratic | Death | Appointment | January 16, 2021 | Rosemary Lesser (D) |
| December 30, 2020 | Maryland House District 9A | Warren Miller | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | January 13, 2021 | Reid Novotny (R) |
| December 30, 2020 | North Carolina House District 39 | Darren Jackson | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | January 11, 2021 | James Roberson (D) |
| December 29, 2020 | Massachusetts House District Suffolk 19 | Robert DeLeo | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | April 7, 2021 | Jeffrey Turco (D) |
| December 23, 2020 | Maryland Senate District 27 | Thomas Miller Jr. | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 13, 2021 | Michael A. Jackson (D) |
| December 18, 2020 | Minnesota Senate District 14 | Jerry Relph | Republican | Death | Election | January 5, 2021 | Aric Putnam (D) |
| December 16, 2020 | Hawaii Senate District 1 | Kaiali'i Kahele | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | January 19, 2021 | Laura Acasio (D) |
| December 14, 2020 | Indiana House District 49 | Christy Stutzman | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | December 15, 2020 | Joanna King (R) |
| December 12, 2020 | Virginia House District 2 | Jennifer Foy | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | January 13, 2021 | Candi King (D) |
| December 10, 2020 | Maryland House District 40 | Nick Mosby | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | January 6, 2021 | Marlon Amprey (D) |
| December 9, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Hillsborough 21 | Dick Hinch | Republican | Death | Special election | April 21, 2021 | Bill Boyd (R) |
| December 7, 2020 | Alabama Senate District 14 | Cam Ward | Republican | Elevation | Special election | July 14, 2021 | April Weaver (R) |
| December 6, 2020 | California Senate District 30 | Holly Mitchell | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | March 11, 2021 | Sydney Kamlager (D) |
| December 6, 2020 | New Mexico Senate District 28 | Gabriel Ramos | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | December 29, 2020 | Siah Correa Hemphill (D) |
| December 2, 2020 | Maine Senate District 14 | Shenna Bellows | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | March 10, 2021 | Craig Hickman (D) |
| December 2, 2020 | Wisconsin House District 89 | John Nygren | Republican | Resignation | Special election | April 28, 2021 | Elijah Behnke (R) |
| December 1, 2020 | Louisiana House District 35 | Stephen Dwight | Republican | Elevation | Special election | January 19, 2021 | Brett Geymann (R) |
| November 30, 2020 | Illinois Senate District 20 | Iris Martinez | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | December 21, 2020 | Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D) |
| November 30, 2020 | North Dakota House District 27 | Thomas Beadle | Republican | Elevation | Appointment | December 1, 2020 | Greg Stemen (R) |
| November 17, 2020 | Montana House District 95 | Shane Morigeau | Democratic | Elevation | Election | November 3, 2020 | Danny Tenenbaum (D) |
| November 15, 2020 | Virginia House District 90 | Joseph Lindsey | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | January 13, 2021 | Angelia Williams Graves (D) |
| November 9, 2020 | Montana Senate District 48 | Nate McConnell | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | November 17, 2020 | Shane Morigeau (D) |
| November 4, 2020 | Indiana Senate District 31 | James Merritt Jr. | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | November 15, 2020 | Kyle Walker (R) |
| November 3, 2020 | Michigan Senate District 28 | Peter MacGregor | Republican | Election | Special election | November 10, 2021 | Mark Huizenga (R) |
| November 3, 2020 | Florida Senate District 20 | Tom Lee | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Daniel Burgess (R) |
| November 2, 2020 | Wyoming House District 53 | Roy Edwards | Republican | Death | Appointment | December 1, 2020 | Christopher Knapp (R) |
| October 13, 2020 | Kentucky House District 39 | Russ Meyer | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | January 1, 2021 | Matt Lockett (R) |
| October 3, 2020 | West Virginia House District 16 | John Mandt Jr. | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | October 16, 2020 | Zachary Perry (R) |
| October 1, 2020 | North Carolina House District 117 | Charles McGrady | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | October 12, 2020 | Timothy Moffitt (R) |
| October 1, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Hillsborough 13 | Kathy Desjardin | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | William Infantine (R) |
| September 30, 2020 | Kansas House District 117 | Leonard Mastroni | Republican | Death | Appointment | October 30, 2020 | Tatum Lee-Hahn (R) |
| September 28, 2020 | New Mexico House District 45 | Jim Trujillo | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | October 6, 2020 | Linda Serrato (D) |
| September 18, 2020 | North Dakota House District 43 | Matt Eidson | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | October 9, 2020 | Zac Ista (D) |
| September 12, 2020 | Illinois Senate District 30 | Terry Link | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | October 11, 2020 | Adriane Johnson (D) |
| September 11, 2020 | Florida House District 77 | Dane Eagle | Republican | Resignation | Election | November 3, 2020 | Mike Giallombardo (R) |
| September 4, 2020 | Georgia House District 90 | Pam Stephenson | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | March 16, 2021 | Angela Moore (D) |
| September 1, 2020 | Alabama Senate District 26 | David Burkette | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | March 3, 2021 | Kirk Hatcher (D) |
| August 31, 2020 | Maryland House District 2B | Paul Corderman | Republican | Elevation | Appointment | September 23, 2020 | Brenda Thiam (R) |
| August 27, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Merrimack 8 | Robert Forsythe | Republican | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Caroletta Alicea (D) |
| August 20, 2020 | North Carolina House District 53 | David Lewis, Sr. | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | September 8, 2020 | Howard Penny Jr. (R) |
| August 16, 2020 | Maine House District 27 | Andrew McLean | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Kyle Bailey (D) |
| August 12, 2020 | Florida House District 64 | James Grant | Republican | Resignation | Election | November 3, 2020 | Traci Koster (R) |
| August 10, 2020 | New Mexico House District 12 | Patricio Ruiloba | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | September 9, 2020 | Art De La Cruz (D) |
| August 4, 2020 | Oklahoma House District 28 | Zack Taylor | Republican | Election | Election | November 16, 2020 | Danny Williams |
| August 1, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Rockingham 3 | Michael Costable Jr. | Republican | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Dustin Dodge (R) |
| August 1, 2020 | Alaska House District 30 | Gary A. Knopp | Republican | Death | Appointment | January 11, 2021 | Ron Gillham (R) |
| August 1, 2020 | Maryland Senate District 2 | Andrew Serafini | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | September 1, 2020 | Paul Corderman (R) |
| August 1, 2020 | Wisconsin House District 76 | Chris Taylor | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | January 4, 2021 | Francesca Hong (D) |
| July 31, 2020 | Indiana House District 88 | Brian Bosma | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | August 19, 2020 | Chris Jeter (R) |
| July 31, 2020 | North Carolina House District 74 | Debra Conrad | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | August 19, 2020 | Wes Schollander |
| July 27, 2020 | North Carolina Senate District 42 | Andy Wells | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | August 10, 2020 | H. Dean Proctor (R) |
| July 20, 2020 | New York Senate District 60 | Christopher Jacobs | Republican | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Sean Ryan (D) |
| July 17, 2020 | South Carolina House District 107 | Alan Clemmons | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Case Brittain (R) |
| July 16, 2020 | North Carolina House District 24 | Jean Farmer-Butterfield | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | July 27, 2020 | Linda Cooper-Suggs (D) |
| July 15, 2020 | Mississippi Senate District 39 | Sally Doty | Republican | Elevation | Special election | October 13, 2020 | Jason Barrett (R) |
| July 14, 2020 | New Hampshire House Sullivan 2 District | Gates Lucas | Republican | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Sue Gottling (D) |
| July 14, 2020 | Alabama House District 33 | Ronald Johnson | Republican | Death | Special election | January 26, 2021 | Ben Robbins (R) |
| July 10, 2020 | Arkansas House District 96 | Grant Hodges | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Jill Bryant (R) |
| July 9, 2020 | New Mexico House District 48 | Linda Trujillo | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | July 23, 2020 | Tara Lujan (D) |
| July 7, 2020 | Wyoming House District 59 | Carl Loucks | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | July 28, 2020 | Kevin O'Hearn (R) |
| July 3, 2020 | Illinois House District 9 | Arthur Turner II | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | July 24, 2020 | Lakesia Collins (D) |
| July 2, 2020 | Mississippi House District 66 | Jarvis Dortch | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | October 13, 2020 | De'Keither Stamps (D) |
| July 1, 2020 | New York Assembly District 137 | David Gantt | Democratic | Death | Election | November 12, 2020 | Demond Meeks (D) |
| June 30, 2020 | Arkansas House District 12 | Chris Richey | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | David Tollett (R) |
| June 30, 2020 | Mississippi Senate District 15 | Gary Jackson | Republican | Resignation | Special election | October 13, 2020 | Bart Williams (R) |
| June 30, 2020 | Mississippi House District 37 | Gary Chism | Republican | Resignation | Special election | October 13, 2020 | Lynn Wright (R) |
| June 30, 2020 | North Carolina Senate District 26 | Jerry W. Tillman | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | July 17, 2020 | Dave Craven (R) |
| June 28, 2020 | New York Senate District 2 | John J. Flanagan | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Mario Mattera (R) |
| June 28, 2020 | Virginia House District 29 | Chris Collins | Republican | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Bill Wiley (R) |
| June 18, 2020 | Hawaii Senate District 16 | Breene Harimoto | Democratic | Death | Appointment | July 9, 2020 | Bennette Misalucha (D) |
| June 18, 2020 | South Dakota Senate District 8 | Jordan Youngberg | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | June 19, 2020 | Casey Crabtree (R) |
| June 18, 2020 | Wisconsin House District 17 | David Crowley | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | January 4, 2021 | Supreme Moore Omokunde (D) |
| June 15, 2020 | Indiana House District 100 | Dan Forestal | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | June 27, 2020 | Robert Blake Johnson (D) |
| June 15, 2020 | Pennsylvania House District 28 | Mike Turzai | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Rob Mercuri (R) |
| June 15, 2020 | Missouri House District 58 | David Wood | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Willard Haley (R) |
| June 9, 2020 | New Hampshire House Grafton 12 District | Garrett Muscatel | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Russell Muirhead |
| June 1, 2020 | New Hampshire House Cheshire 4 District | David Morrill | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Lawrence Welkowitz (D) |
| May 28, 2020 | West Virginia House District 41 | Jordan Hill | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | June 17, 2020 | Heather Tully (R) |
| May 24, 2020 | New Hampshire House Grafton 9 District | Vincent Migliore | Republican | Death | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Lex Berezhny (R) |
| May 19, 2020 | Massachusetts House 4th Hampden District | John Velis | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Kelly Pease (R) |
| May 18, 2020 | Wisconsin Senate District 12 | Tom Tiffany | Republican | Elevation | Special election | January 4, 2021 | Mary Felzkowski (R) |
| May 15, 2020 | Oregon House District 33 | Mitch Greenlick | Democratic | Death | Appointment | June 12, 2020 | Maxine Dexter (D) |
| May 15, 2020 | Wisconsin Senate District 32 | Jennifer Shilling | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | January 4, 2021 | Brad Pfaff (D) |
| May 15, 2020 | Kansas House District 48 | David Benson | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | May 24, 2020 | Jennifer Day (D) |
| May 13, 2020 | Washington House District 38-Position 1 | June Robinson | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | May 13, 2020 | Emily Wicks (D) |
| May 12, 2020 | New Hampshire House Hillsborough 23 District | Charlie Burns | Republican | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Maria Perez (D) |
| May 12, 2020 | California Assembly District 67 | Melissa Melendez | Republican | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Kelly Seyarto (R) |
| May 12, 2020 | Alabama House District 49 | April Weaver | Republican | Resignation | Special election | November 17, 2020 | Russell Bedsole (R) |
| May 11, 2020 | Idaho House District 6A | Thyra Stevenson | Republican | Death | Appointment | June 3, 2020 | Aaron von Ehlinger (R) |
| May 2, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Hillsborough 43 | Richard Komi | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Amy L. Bradley (D) |
| April 30, 2020 | Texas Senate District 14 | Kirk Watson | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | July 31, 2020 | Sarah Eckhardt (D) |
| April 17, 2020 | Washington Senate District 38 | John McCoy | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | May 13, 2020 | June Robinson (D) |
| April 16, 2020 | Utah House District 53 | Logan Wilde | Republican | Elevation | Appointment | April 16, 2020 | Kera Birkeland (R) |
| April 15, 2020 | Kentucky Senate District 26 | Ernie Harris | Republican | Resignation | Special election | June 23, 2020 | Karen Berg (D) |
| April 11, 2020 | Florida House District 96 | Kristin Jacobs | Democratic | Death | Election | November 3, 2020 | Christine Hunschofsky (D) |
| April 9, 2020 | Louisiana House District 54 | Reggie Bagala | Republican | Death | Special election | July 11, 2020 | Joseph Orgeron (R) |
| April 6, 2020 | Georgia Senate District 4 | Jack Hill | Republican | Death | Special election | August 11, 2020 | Billy Hickman (R) |
| April 3, 2020 | South Dakota House District 22 | Bob Glanzer | Republican | Death | Appointment | May 8, 2020 | Lynn Schneider (R) |
| March 31, 2020 | Mississippi House District 87 | William Andrews | Republican | Resignation | Special Election | December 7, 2020 | Joseph Tubb (R) |
| March 31, 2020 | North Carolina Senate District 20 | Henry Michaux, Jr. | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | April 1, 2020 | Natalie Murdock (D) |
| March 30, 2020 | South Carolina House District 115 | Peter McCoy | Republican | Elevation | Special election | August 11, 2020 | Spencer Wetmore (D) |
| March 29, 2020 | Michigan House District 4 | Isaac Robinson | Democratic | Death | Special election | December 1, 2020 | Abraham Aiyash (D) |
| March 27, 2020 | New Hampshire House Hillsborough 37 District | James Whittemore | Republican | Death | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Denise Smith (R) |
| March 26, 2020 | North Carolina House District 29 | MaryAnn Black | Democratic | Death | Appointment | April 13, 2020 | Vernetta Alston (D) |
| March 20, 2020 | Ohio House District 59 | Don Manning | Republican | Death | Appointment | May 28, 2020 | Alessandro Cutrona (R) |
| March 19, 2020 | Maryland House District 30A | Alice Cain | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | April 23, 2020 | Dana Jones (D) |
| February 18, 2020 | North Carolina House District 82 | Linda Johnson | Republican | Death | Appointment | March 19, 2020 | Kristin Baker (R) |
| February 14, 2020 | Vermont House Windham-3 District | Matt Trieber | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | April 11, 2020 | Kelley Tully (D) |
| February 11, 2020 | North Dakota House District 12 | Jim Grueneich | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | February 18, 2020 | Mitch Ostlie (R) |
| February 6, 2020 | New York Assembly District 136 | Jamie Romeo | Democratic | Elevation | Special election (canceled)[1] | November 12, 2020 | Sarah Clark (D) |
| February 3, 2020 | Maryland House District 11 | Shelly Hettleman | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | March 10, 2020 | Lisa Belcastro (D) |
| January 31, 2020 | Mississippi House District 88 | Ramona Blackledge | Republican | Resignation | Special election | June 23, 2020 | Robin Robinson (R) |
| January 31, 2020 | Oklahoma Senate District 28 | Jason Smalley | Republican | Resignation | Special election | June 30, 2020 | Zack Taylor (R) |
| January 30, 2020 | Missouri Senate District 3 | Gary Romine | Republican | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Elaine Gannon (R) |
| January 29, 2020 | Montana House District 44 | Dale Mortensen | Republican | Death | Appointment | March 24, 2020 | Larry Brewster (R) |
| January 25, 2020 | Alaska House District 3 | Tammie Wilson | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | February 21, 2020 | Glenn Prax (R) |
| January 21, 2020 | Illinois House District 12 | Sara Feigenholtz | Democratic | Elevation | Appointment | February 9, 2020 | Yoni Pizer (D) |
| January 21, 2020 | Colorado House District 6 | Chris Hansen | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | February 4, 2020 | Steven Woodrow (D) |
| January 20, 2020 | Illinois Senate District 6 | John Cullerton | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 21, 2020 | Sara Feigenholtz (D) |
| January 17, 2020 | Colorado House District 38 | Susan Beckman | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | February 12, 2020 | Richard Champion (R) |
| January 16, 2020 | Idaho House District 2B | John Green | Republican | Removal | Appointment | January 28, 2020 | Tim Remington (R) |
| January 16, 2020 | Missouri Senate District 7 | Jason Holsman | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Greg Razer (D) |
| January 16, 2020 | Missouri Senate District 9 | Shalonn Curls | Democratic | Elevation | Special election | November 3, 2020 | Barbara Anne Washington (D) |
| January 16, 2020 | Colorado Senate District 31 | Lois Court | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 21, 2020 | Chris Hansen (D) |
| January 13, 2020 | Kansas House District 96 | Brandon Whipple | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 14, 2020 | Stephanie Yeager (D) |
| January 8, 2020 | Massachusetts House 37th Middlesex District | Jennifer Benson | Democratic | Resignation | Special election | June 2, 2020 | Danillo Sena (D) |
| January 7, 2020 | North Carolina Senate District 20 | Floyd McKissick | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 13, 2020 | Henry Michaux, Jr. (D) |
| January 7, 2020 | Illinois House District 21 | Celina Villanueva | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 10, 2020 | Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D) |
| January 6, 2020 | Oregon House District 60 | Lynn Findley | Republican | Elevation | Appointment | January 21, 2020 | Mark Owens (R) |
| January 6, 2020 | New York Assembly District 12 | Andrew Raia | Republican | Election | Special election (canceled)[1] | November 3, 2020 | Keith Brown (R) |
| January 6, 2020 | Massachusetts Senate 2nd Hampden & Hampshire | Donald Humason Jr. | Republican | Resignation | Special election | May 19, 2020 | John Velis (D) |
| January 6, 2020 | Washington House District 40 | Jeff Morris | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 6, 2020 | Alex Ramel (D) |
| January 6, 2020 | Massachusetts House 3rd Bristol District | Shaunna O'Connell | Republican | Resignation | Special election | June 2, 2020 | Carol Doherty (D) |
| January 6, 2020 | Pennsylvania House District 18 | Gene DiGirolamo | Republican | Resignation | Special election | April 6, 2020 | K.C. Tomlinson (R) |
| January 2, 2020 | Maryland Senate District 11 | Robert Zirkin | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | February 3, 2020 | Shelly Hettleman (D) |
| January 2, 2020 | Pennsylvania House District 8 | Tedd Nesbit | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | March 17, 2020 | Tim Bonner (R) |
| January 1, 2020 | New Hampshire House District Strafford 10 | Jody McNally | Republican | Resignation | Special election | December 2, 2020 | Aidan K. Ankarberg (R) |
| January 1, 2020 | New York Assembly District 31 | Michele Titus | Democratic | Resignation | Special election (canceled)[1] | November 12, 2020 | Khaleel Anderson (D) |
| January 1, 2020 | Oregon Senate District 30 | Cliff Bentz | Republican | Resignation | Appointment | January 9, 2020 | Lynn Findley (R) |
| January 1, 2020 | Oklahoma House District 89 | Shane Stone | Democratic | Resignation | Election | November 16, 2020 | Jose Cruz (D) |
| January 1, 2020 | Illinois Senate District 11 | Martin Sandoval | Democratic | Resignation | Appointment | January 7, 2020 | Celina Villanueva (D) |
How are vacancies filled in state legislatures?
The map below displays the different ways that vacancies are filled in state legislatures according to state law.
State legislative vacancies can be filled through special elections, governor appointments, board of county commissioners appointments, political party appointments, legislative chamber appointments, or a type of hybrid system. All 50 states use one or more of these systems to fill legislative vacancies.
Click on a state below to see the process for filling legislative vacancies in that state. The map also displays who holds the real power in filling legislative vacancies. For example, in the state of Utah, the state's constitution says that the governor is responsible for filling a legislative vacancy. However, the political party actually holds the real power in filling vacancies in the Utah State Legislature since the party recommends a successor to the governor and the governor then appoints the new member.
See also
- State legislatures
- How vacancies are filled in state legislatures
- State legislative elections, 2020
- State legislative special elections, 2020
- State legislative historical elections by year
- State supreme court vacancies, 2020
Footnotes
