As it stands right now (to the best of my knowledge), states currently fill senatorial vacancies 1 of 2 ways. The first is through special election in the respective state, and second is by the states’ governor’s appointment.

I feel that this resolution should pass because the appointment of a senator through governor selection seems to bypass the voice of the people. Montana is currently a state in which the governor appoints a candidate to fill a senatorial vacancy.

“When a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives, the Constitution requires a special election to fill it. But the l7th Amendment leaves up to the states whether a Senate vacancy is filled by a special election of the people or by an appointee of the state’s governor. Oregon, Oklahoma, Massachusetts and Wisconsin empower the people to directly fill Senate vacancies. Eight other states allow their governors to make interim appointments, typically for 60 or 90 days, at which time they hold a special election. In the remaining 38 states, including Montana, the decision of filling vacancies in the Senate is left entirely up to the governor.” – Bob Brown

Bob Brown is a former Montana State Senate President and Secretary of State

So while the argument could be made that this resolution is unnecessary because it would degrade the state’s right’s issue of choosing how senatorial vacancy appointments are handled in their respective states, it is positive in that the electorate actually get to CHOOSE who will be the next Senator of their state. I support this resolution on this issue alone. I fail to see how putting the power in the hands of the people is a negative thing. IMHO I feel that anytime someone is put into a position of power and leadership in this country it should be the voice and vote of the electorate that put them there. Void of undue influence.

power to the people

Not only should the appointment of Senators be voted on and controlled by the people of the state, but there should be term limits placed on the positions! There also should be a cap on salaries, and NO MORE full pay retirements.. Retirement plans like the rest of us have, you put into your 401K, thats what you get out! Period!!! Any breach in purposeful representation, such as “accepting lobbyist money to sway a vote, or preferential treatment” should be automatic impeachment from the position, and/or prison terms. I’m, like the rest of AMERICA, sick of being ripped by OUR so called Congress/Senate POLITICIANS….

I believe if someone is to be a representative of a state, they should be elected and not selected. Just because a Governor is of a certain politcal party, does not mean that he represents that state in how they would select a Senate Representative or House Represenatitive. It should be the peoples choice.

The individual in the position was elected by the people therefore if the position becomes vacant then the people should be able to elect a new individual. This is just common sense. Yet I have learned “common sense” is hard to come by with government.

The constitution was originally written so that the senators were chosen by the state legislatures. This was so that the state (as a whole) would be represented in Congress. It seemed to have worked well up until it was changed by the 17th amendment – passed in 1913… the same year that gave us the income tax and the Federal Reserve.

You represent the People, you should be Elected by the People
I am from Illinois need I say more. My state is a prime example as to why we need this. Blago, Roland, who is represented from this transaction.

This seems to be right in line with the 17th Amendment, except that it excludes the ability of the governor to make a temporary appointment until such time as an election can be held to fill the vacancy. I would support this amendment only if it puts some sort of time limit on when the subsequent election must be held, but still allow the temporary appointment of a senator by the Governor or other process as determined by each state.

This will take care of Chicago style politics in the future when openings come up mid-term!!!

Repeal the 17th amendment and return to the election of senators by the state legislatures.

Hear hear! Let’s restore balance in the most active branch of Government – the legislation. 1913 was a long time ago and we can now see the terrible effect that this amendment has had. It’s up to us to start the movement though (you know those in the Senate aren’t going to propose this themselves). Let’s make our own special interest rise to the fore-front and use the public election cycle to our advantage.

Join up on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=149905680288

Repeal the 17th Amendment! Spread the word, we still have time to pressure for Nov 2010!

I had to nay at this one. Its a states choice what they want to do now, and I think it should remain so. Lobby the states to fix their processes. We don’t need to change the constitution over something thats happened a handful of times.