Modifies the procedure for filling a vacancy in the general assembly

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how this change will affect voter turnout or political representation.

Changes How Vacancies Are Filled in the General Assembly

This act changes how elections are held when a member of the Missouri General Assembly leaves their position before their term ends.

What This Bill Does

• Removes an old rule about filling vacancies in the general assembly.
• Creates a new rule that says if someone leaves more than 46 weeks before their term ends, the governor must call for a special election within seven days of learning about it.
• Says this special election should happen on or before the eighteenth Tuesday after the governor calls for it.

Who It Names or Affects

• The governor of Missouri
• Members of the Missouri General Assembly
• People who vote in special elections

Terms To Know

Vacancy

An empty position or seat, like when a member of the general assembly leaves their job before their term ends.

Writ of election

A formal order from the governor to hold an election to fill a vacancy in the general assembly.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if the governor delays calling for an election.
• It is unclear how this change will affect voter turnout or political representation.

Official Summary Text

Modifies the procedure for filling a vacancy in the general assembly

Current Bill Text

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 1781
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBL Y
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENT A TIVE VOSS.
4196H.01I JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
T o repeal section 21.1 10, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to
elections to fill vacancies in the general assembly .
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 21.1 10, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
2 thereof, to be known as section 21.1 10, to read as follows:
21.1 10. 1. If the governor receives any resignation or notice of vacancy , or if he or
2 she is [ satisfied ] notified of the death of any member of either house, [ during the recess ], he
3 or she shall[ , without delay , ] issue a writ of election to [ supply ] fill the vacancy . If the
4 vacancy occurs forty-six weeks or mor e before the end of the term, the governor shall
5 issue the writ within seven days of r eceiving notice of the vacancy and the election shall
6 be held on or before the eighteenth T uesday following the issuance of the writ.
7 2. If the vacancy occurs less than forty-six weeks before the end of the term, the
8 governor shall have discr etion to issue the writ.
✔
EXPLANA TION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law . Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.