Ban Passed on Former Legislators Running for Vacant Seat

Liz Gullett

Dec 01, 2017

This week the Senate passed a House bill that would change current law to say that a legislator who resigns or is removed from office can’t run in the special election to fill the remainder of their term. Currently, if a legislator resigns or is removed from office prior to the end of their term, they can run in the special election to fill their vacant seat. The bill does not prevent them from running in the next primary and general election for a full term.

“This issue recently occurred in 2015 following the resignation of former Representative Todd Courser and the removal from office of former Representative Cindy Gamrat. Both filed to run in the special primary election to fill their vacant seats,” explained Brendan Ringlever of MLC. Those who support the bill state it’s the legislature’s authority to hold their members accountable and this change would reinforce that authority. However, those opposed to the change state the decision of sending such a member back to their prior office should be up to the voters in their district.

The legislation will be sent to Governor Rick Snyder for consideration.

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