Lindsey Graham's death prompts process to fill his Senate seat
Source: ABC News
July 12, 2026, 12:36 PM
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday at age 71, was up for reelection this year and won the state's Republican primary last month with almost 60% of the vote.
Graham's unexpected passing sets in motion processes that will ensure someone completes the remainder of Graham's current Senate term, which expires in January, and also elect someone to take his place on November's general election ballot.
Per state law, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will first appoint Graham's temporary replacement, after which he will set the date of a special primary election to elect a candidate to stand in Graham's place in the November election.
There is no statutory timeline for when the governor is required to make the appointment but he must by law announce the special election within five days after the appointment.
Read more: https://abcnews.com/Politics/lindsey-grahams-death-prompts-process-fill-senate-seat/story?id=134693556
= new reply since forum marked as read
I know each state has their own law regarding Senatorial vacancies, but a Special election is still required per the Constitution (regardless of whether a temp is appointed to fill a term) - https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxvii
Amendment XVII
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct..
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
This is different from filling House vacancies, which are guided by state law.
