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According to Ballotpedia, Illinois is one of only four states in which party officials fill legislative vacancies. In more than half the states, those vacancies are filled with special elections. (In 2018, 99 state legislative seats were filled in special elections.) In 10 states, they’re filled by the governor, and in seven, by county commissioners.
* From Ballotpedia…
Twenty-five states fill vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. Twenty-two states fill vacancies through appointments and three states fill vacancies through a hybrid system that uses both appointments and special elections.
Special elections…
Alabama • Arkansas • California • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • New Hampshire • New York • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • Texas • Virginia • Wisconsin
Governor appointments…
Alaska • Hawaii • Idaho • Maryland • Nebraska • North Carolina • South Dakota • Utah • Vermont • West Virginia
County commissioners…
Arizona • Montana • Nevada • New Mexico • Oregon • Washington • Wyoming
Colorado • Illinois • Indiana • North Dakota
Hybrid system…
Kansas • New Jersey • Tennessee
Ohio
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:03 am
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We are effectively having a special election in the 12th district.
It’s still effectively party officials and the governor vying to fill the vacancy.
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:09 am
Plus the clever way Bob Thomas left the Supreme Court hand picked his successor and managed to avoid a primary and give Mike Burke a two year head start on election
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:13 am
Once mentioned filling all vacancies with special elections, was told by the commenters here it was “too expensive” …
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:15 am
I see New York has special elections. Their longtime former Speaker (D) is on his way to prison. Their longtime Senate Republican Leader and majority leader is currently in federal prison.
In Florida, the GOP rigged an “independent” maps commission to institute a racist power play for white Republicans.
Those are just off the top of my head. My point is that special elections are not the panacea some claim. Of course, that’s not to say the current system here is working.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:21 am
The most egregious case this cycle was Rep Kalish. Rep Lang gets elected, steps down before his term begins, then gets to appoint someone for a full two-year term because he’s the Committeeman with the biggest weighted vote.
Regardless of the falling out between the two men now, there’s no reason we should allow that kind of bait & switch.
Comment by Oak Parker Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 10:34 am
A wise lawyer told me long ago he thought the Illinois process (which was implemented around when Illinois went to consolidated election dates, so the ’saving money’ isn’t entirely off the mark) was unconstitutional. I wonder if it’s been challenged?
Comment by Rasselas Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 11:16 am
This is the kind of thing that should be reformed, but lacks the impetus to be accomplished, since it would require a constitutional amendment.
Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 11:17 am
Honestly, I think the worst ideas up there are letting the governor or legislature name the replacement. Those remove any sense of local control over the replacement.
Comment by 62656 Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 11:29 am
New Jersey is a 5th State where political parties appoint. The State Constitution mandates that legislative vacancies be filed by appointment, but doesn’t say by whom. Art. IV, Sec. 2(d)
Comment by truthtopower Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 7:36 pm
Legislative vacancies should be filled by special elections like most states. If the governor or political party appoints them it’s wide open for corruption and tail kissing.
Comment by Rusty Thursday, Feb 20, 20 @ 7:43 am