How the Arizona special election will work after Franks resigned seat
Dec 7, 2017, 6:25 PM | Updated: Dec 8, 2017, 2:58 pm
U.S. Rep. Trent Franks. (AP File Photo)
(AP File Photo)
PHOENIX — U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) has officially resigned his seat after he admitted to discussing surrogacy with at least two staffers.
So what happens next?
According to Arizona law, a special primary election will first be held to determine each party’s nominee for his seat. After that, a special election will be held.
The winner of the overall special election will take Franks’ spot in Washington, D.C.
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There was no immediate word on when those elections will be held. Gov. Doug Ducey has until early next week to decide when the votes will take place.
Arizona law stipulated that the special primary must be held between 80 and 90 days of the vacancy, with the special election being held 50 to 60 days after that.
Interested candidates — several names have already been thrown out there — will have 30 days after Ducey announces the election date to submit their paperwork.
People who use mail-in ballots will be able to vote in the special election. Those should be sent to voters 15 days before the polls close in both the special primary and special election.
