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Bill to allow governor-and‑council appointments for vacant House seats draws intense debate
Summary
Representative Joe Sweeney’s HB 13‑96 would let the governor and executive council appoint replacements for vacant state representative seats (same‑party replacement), aiming to avoid expensive special elections; supporters cited cost and continuity, while opponents warned the change would reduce voter choice and urged work‑session review.
Representative Joe Sweeney presented HB 13‑96 as a remedial measure to avoid costly special elections for single vacant state representative seats, suggesting the governor and executive council could appoint a replacement from the same party as the vacating member who was registered as such on the date of the last general election. He said some municipalities (for example, Salem) decline to hold special elections because of expense and staffing burdens.
Supporters argued…
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