Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the nominated individual for a vacant U.S. Senate seat to be enrolled in the same political party as their predecessor in Maine.

Highlights:

• Specifies that if there is a vacancy in the office of United States Senator and the person who vacated the office was enrolled in a political party at the time of that person's last election to that office, the qualified person appointed to fill the vacancy must have been enrolled in that party at the time of the most recent election and at the time the office was vacated and must be enrolled in that party at the time the qualified person is appointed (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if the person who vacated the office was not enrolled in a political party at the time of that person's last election to that office, the qualified person appointed to fill the vacancy may not have been enrolled in a political party at the time of the most recent election and at the time the office was vacated and may not be enrolled in a political party at the time the qualified person is appointed (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text