Special Election Required To Elect Representative Who Will Never Cast A Vote

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs’ unexpected death last week is going to have an unexpected and expensive surprise. As a member of the House of Representatives, Tubbs was up for reelection in November. However, Federal law requires that a primary and general election be held for the remainder of the current term. That term expires in a little over four months. It will cost $5 million for two elections and the winner will never cast a vote because Congress will not be in session after the elections. That sounds like a law that needs a bit of tinkering.