The Election Law Committees of both houses of the Massachusetts legislature are now voting on HB 656, which would let the Governor appoint someone to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. Current law says there should be a special election approximately five months after the vacancy occurs. HB 656 would not change the special election rules, but it would say that the Governor could appoint someone to serve until the special election would be held.

The bill says the Governor must appoint someone from the same party as the person whose death or resignation had caused the vacancy. It doesn’t provide what to do if the U.S. Senator was an independent. See this story about the committee voting process, which must be complete by 11 p.m. on September 16. If the bill passes the Committees, it might get a vote in each House on September 17.