Subcommittee amends special‑election schedule, removes U.S. House vacancies and approves bill as amended

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Election Laws approved S 38 as amended, adopting changes that set a standardized timetable for special elections and removing a provision that would have applied the schedule to vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As explained by staff, S 38 would create a regular schedule for primaries, runoffs and special elections measured from a vacancy date, and also identify specific calendar dates when special elections may be held (examples cited included the fourth Tuesday in January, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April, the second Tuesday in June in even‑numbered years, the fourth Tuesday in August, and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November). The bill further allows the governor and legislative leaders to set alternative schedules when state or federal election dates would otherwise conflict.

Committee members adopted an amendment to remove references to the U.S. House of Representatives so the new timetable would not apply to congressional vacancies. That amendment was adopted by voice and a unanimous raise of hands. Later, the subcommittee considered and adopted a procedural amendment to establish clear timelines and public hearing requirements when a county party seeks to reopen a filing period after a withdrawal or death; the author said the change clarifies timing, requires a public hearing within 48 hours and a three‑business‑day filing period after the vote to reopen filing.

After adopting amendments, the committee moved for a favorable report on S 38 as amended; members voted to report the bill favorably. Testimony in support included Joseph Dabney, who said low turnout in special elections supports using a predictable schedule, and Lynn Teague, who said voters benefit from more regular, predictable elections.

The approval sends S 38, as amended, forward in the legislative process.