Manchin Releases Proposal For Special Election To Replace Byrd

Joe Manchin with the late Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)
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Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has released an official proposal for a proposed state law to clear up the legal situation on replacing the late Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, which will be debated and potentially passed in a special legislative session this week:

If the legislation is passed, then the governor can proclaim an election this November to fill the U.S. Senate seat, which would include a special primary election, probably to be held in August or September.

There are various election deadlines, some that are in federal law and cannot be waived, that the state must follow in order to hold a valid special election that includes a primary. The governor and the secretary of state have been meeting with a bipartisan group of county clerks to outline the process for a special primary and special general election.

Here is the full press release:

Governor Releases Legislation for the Upcoming Special Session
The governor will make an U.S. Senate appointment by 5 p.m. Friday

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin today released the special session legislation, which will clarify the state code on the succession process for the vacant senate seat left due to the passing of longtime U.S. Senator, Robert C. Byrd.

The Governor’s legislation coincides with the West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s statement last week, which stated the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives the governor the authority to call a special primary and special general election to coincide with the regular general election this November. The legislation also includes a provision to require the state to pay for the entire costs of both special elections.

“The governor’s bill is very simple,” Jim Pitrolo, Manchin’s director of legislative affairs and policy, said. “We are taking the Attorney General’s opinion and clarifying state code so there can be no doubt as to how the law should be interpreted. This bill would merely clarify the state code so that there is no question that we could have a special primary and special general election.”

If the legislation is passed, then the governor can proclaim an election this November to fill the U.S. Senate seat, which would include a special primary election, probably to be held in August or September.

“We are releasing the bill to legislators and the public today for discussion and comment,” the governor said. “Releasing the bill early should give legislators enough time to give it a full and thorough review. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant informs us that absolutely every day counts if we are going to be able to have a special primary election.”

There are various election deadlines, some that are in federal law and cannot be waived, that the state must follow in order to hold a valid special election that includes a primary. The governor and the secretary of state have been meeting with a bipartisan group of county clerks to outline the process for a special primary and special general election.

“If we wait too long, all West Virginians will not be able to select their party nominee at the polls, and we would be forced to utilize a party convention or other form of candidate selection to choose nominees for the election. Because of this, Gov. Manchin will ask the Legislature to consider suspending its rule that a bill must be read on three separate days so that the legislation can go into effect quickly and the state can begin preparing for a special primary,” Pitrolo explained.

Gov. Manchin will call the Legislature into special session to consider the legislation starting noon Thursday, July 15. In addition, The governor is expected to make an appointment, to fill the seat temporarily, by 5 p.m. this Friday.

To review the draft legislation, please see the following link:

/uploads/billdraft.pdf

To review the bill summary, please see the following link:

/uploads/Billsummary001.pdf

To review Attorney General’s opinion:

/uploads/agop001.pdf

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