A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require a special election to fill vacancies in the United States Senate.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 163‑12 reads as rewritten:
"§ 163‑12.  Filling vacancy in United States Senate.
(a)	Whenever there shall be a vacancy in the office of United States Senator from this State, whether caused by death, resignation, or otherwise than by expiration of term, the Governor shall appoint to fill the vacancy until a special election shall be held to fill the office. If the Senator was elected as the nominee of a political party, the Governor shall appoint from a list of three persons recommended by the State executive committee of the political party with which the vacating member was affiliated when elected if that party executive committee makes recommendations within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.
(b)	The Governor shall issue a writ for the special election of a Senator to be held more than 90 days but less than 180 days after the vacancy occurs, and such election may coincide with another scheduled election. If another scheduled election is within 30 days of the time frame set out in this subsection, the Governor may lessen or extend the time frame to have the special election coincide with another scheduled election. The person elected shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The election shall take effect from the date of the canvassing of the returns."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies existing on or after that date.