Filling Vacancies

The writers of the United States Constitution provided in Article I.2.4, "If the seat of a Representative becomes vacant because of death, resignation, or some other cause, the governor of that state shall call for a new election to fill the vacancy." This provision insures that the states have the Right to fill vacancies as soon as possible. In comparison, a vacancy in the Senate gave the governor the authorization to appoint an interim Senator to serve until the next election. (See Article I.3.2.)