Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Dec. 12 announced the date for a special election to fill the U.S. House of Representatives seat that became vacant when Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) died soon after winning another term.
Youngkin, a Republican, set the election date for Feb. 21, 2023.
The governor announced the date in a communication to election officials in counties that are part of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District, which McEachin represented.
The U.S. Constitution states that when vacancies arise for House seats, the executive authority, or governor, shall issue a writ of election to fill the vacancies.
Virginia code states that when a vacancy arises, or when a representative-elect dies or resigns, the governor shall issue such a writ. “Upon receipt of written notification by a representative or representative-elect of his resignation as of a stated date, the Governor may immediately issue a writ to call the election.”…