Sec. 1. (a) A vacancy in a legislative office shall be filled by a caucus comprised of the precinct committeemen from the senate or house district where the vacancy exists who represent the same political party that elected or selected the person who held the vacated seat.

     (b) Not later than thirty (30) days after the vacancy occurs (or as provided in subsections (c) and (d)), the caucus shall meet and select a person to fill the vacancy by a majority vote of those casting a vote for a candidate, including vice committeemen eligible to vote as a proxy under section 5 of this chapter.

     (c) A state chairman may give notice of a caucus before the time specified under subsection (b) if a vacancy will exist because the official has:

(1) submitted a written resignation under IC 5-8-3.5 that has not yet taken effect;

(2) been elected to another office; or

(3) submitted a notice under IC 5-9-4 to take a leave of absence for active duty in the armed forces or national guard.

     (d) If a vacancy in a legislative office exists because of the death of the legislator, the caucus shall meet and select a person to fill the vacancy not later than thirty (30) days after the state chairman receives notice of the death of the legislator from the secretary of state under IC 5-8-6.

     (e) Notwithstanding IC 5-8-4, a person may not withdraw the person’s resignation after the resignation has been accepted by the person authorized to accept the resignation less than seventy-two (72) hours before the announced starting time of the caucus under this chapter.

     (f) The person selected must reside in the district where the vacancy occurred.

[Pre-1986 Recodification Citation: 2-2.1-2-1 part.]

As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.8-1986, SEC.2; P.L.3-1987, SEC.431; P.L.10-1988, SEC.191; P.L.3-1997, SEC.393; P.L.26-2000, SEC.26; P.L.119-2005, SEC.2; P.L.278-2019, SEC.154.