This Alabama newspaper story describes the status of the state court lawsuit over whether the Governor is required to call a special U.S. Senate election this year, or whether he can decide to skip a special election until November 2018. The vacancy was created when Senator Jeff Sessions resigned to become U.S. Attorney General. The Governor then appointed Luther Strange and said there is no requirement for a special election this year.

The law is vague, and says the special election must be called “forthwith.”