HB1117 Summary

• Consolidates vacancy procedures for U.S. Senator, U.S. House Representative, State Senator, and State House Representative into a single statute (Section 17-1) requiring special elections to fill all such vacancies.

• Mandates the chief election officer issue a proclamation for a special election no later than 60 days before the election, specifying the date, time, places, nomination filing deadlines, and other election details.

• Eliminates the previous appointment-based system that allowed the governor to make temporary appointments from party-submitted lists while pending a general election.

• Repeals Sections 17-2, 17-3, and 17-4, which previously contained separate vacancy procedures for U.S. Representatives, State Senators, and State House Representatives.

• Takes effect upon approval with no retroactive application to rights, duties, or proceedings that occurred before the effective date.