COLUMBUS —State Senator Jon Husted (R-Kettering) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would change the way in which a vacant U.S. Senate seat is filled in Ohio.
The 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution gives the state legislature the authority to decide how to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. Ohio law states that when a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate, the governor may appoint the successor until the next regular election.
The recent appointment debacle led by now impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and new revelations that appointed Senator Roland Burris may not have been completely forthcoming about the conditions for his appointment has demonstrated that the process for appointment has the potential for abuse. Ohio and Illinois have a similar process for appointing vacancies to the U.S. Senate.
“A vacancy in the United States Senate is incredibly important and shouldn’t be left to the discretion of just one person,” said Husted. “I am hopeful that this legislation would ensure Ohio voters have a stronger voice in selecting who represents them in the U.S. Senate.”
Husted’s legislation calls for a vacant U.S. Senate seat to be filled by special election of the voters. This proposed change would mirror current Ohio law regarding the way in which a seat left vacant by any member of the Ohio delegation of the United States House of Representatives is filled; and provides that the state of Ohio , not local governments, cover the costs of administering the elections.
