Bend, Ore. — The Oregon Senate approved a bill Monday that would allow the governor to temporarily appoint a replacement to the U.S. Senate if a vacancy occurs before the end of a senator’s term. The bill, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted representation in Washington, now moves to the Oregon House for consideration.
Senate Bill 952 passed narrowly in a 16-13 vote and represents a significant shift in how Oregon handles midterm Senate vacancies. Under current law, the state leaves the seat empty until a special election can be held—a process that can take several months. If enacted, the new measure would require the governor to appoint an interim senator within 30 days of the seat becoming vacant, ensuring that Oregon does not go without full representation in Congress during the interim.
The bill stipulates that any appointee must be a U.S. citizen eligible to hold office, belong to the same political party as the departing senator, and have been registered with that party for at least 180 days prior to the appointment. The legislation also bars the governor from appointing themselves to the seat.
“Oregon is one of just four states that currently do not allow for temporary appointments to the U.S. Senate,” said Senator Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis, the bill’s chief sponsor. “This legislation brings us in line with the rest of the country and ensures our state has a voice in federal decisions at all times.”
Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, echoed that sentiment in a statement, saying, “This change will allow Oregon to have full representation in the U.S. Senate quickly and ensures the people of Oregon have the final say over who serves in the role for the duration of the term.”
While the bill maintains the requirement for a special election to be held between 80 and 150 days after the vacancy occurs, it includes provisions to nullify the appointment process if the vacancy happens shortly before a regularly scheduled general election for that Senate seat.
The proposal now heads to the Oregon House, where it will undergo further debate and potential revision before it can become law.
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