Proposed Bill:
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Alaska:
Section 1. AS 15.40.140 is amended to read:
Sec. 15.40.140. Condition and time of calling special election. When a vacancy occurs in the office of United States senator or United States representative, the governor shall, by proclamation, call a special election to be held on a date not less than 60, nor more than 90, days after the date the vacancy occurs. However, if the vacancy occurs on a date that is less than 60 days before or is on or after the date of the primary election in the general election year during which a candidate to fill the office is regularly elected, the governor may not call a special election.
Section 2. AS 15.40 is amended by adding a new section to read:
Sec. 15.40.165. Term of elected senator. At the special election, a United States senator shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. The person elected shall take office on the date the United States Senate meets, convenes, or reconvenes following the certification of the results of the special election by the director.
Section 3. AS 15.40.200 is amended to read:
Sec. 15.40.200. Requirements of party petition. Petitions for the nomination of candidates of political parties shall state in substance that the party desires and intends to support the named candidate for the office of United States senator or United States representative, as appropriate, at the special election and requests that the name of the candidate nominated be placed on the ballot.
Section 4. AS 15.40.220 is amended to read:
Sec. 15.40.220. General provisions for conduct of special election. Unless
specifically provided otherwise, all provisions regarding the conduct of the
general election shall govern the conduct of the special election of the United
States senator or United States representative, including provisions concerning
voter qualifications; provisions regarding the duties, powers, rights, and obligations
of the director, of other election officials, and of municipalities; provision
for notification of the election; provision for payment of election expenses;
provisions regarding employees being allowed time from work to vote; provisions
for the counting, reviewing, and certification of returns; provisions for the
determination of the votes and of recounts, contest, and appeal; and provision
for absentee voting.
End