Hawaii's other "first" senator, Oren Long, only served four years before Daniel K. Inoyue took over (in 1964, and he's still there!) Was his term only for four years? How did they decide which seat would get a four year term and which would get a six-year term?
Then you look at how Alaska did their's (since they became a state at the same time), and I really can't figure it out.
I've been googling around, but now I'm tired. Anyone have an answer?
Hawaiian SenatorsCrazy Alaskan Senators
― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Friday, 20 August 2004 03:10 (twenty-one years ago)
― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 20 August 2004 03:14 (twenty-one years ago)
― Lt. Kingfish Del Pickles (Kingfish), Friday, 20 August 2004 03:16 (twenty-one years ago)
― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Friday, 20 August 2004 03:18 (twenty-one years ago)
― spittle (spittle), Friday, 20 August 2004 06:51 (twenty-one years ago)
when the United States was founded, and presumably when new states join, the new Senators drew lots for when their re-election would fall. That staggered the Senatorial elections, and thereafter Senators serve six year terms.
I think this is even in the Constitution.
― DV (dirtyvicar), Friday, 20 August 2004 07:59 (twenty-one years ago)
― ())(())()()()(()(LASER)()()()LA(Z)E(R)()()()((L)()()(A)(S(E)R()()()) (ex machina, Friday, 20 August 2004 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)
Is that true? 'cuz I was going to say that maybe it was because he died or something.
― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 20 August 2004 12:28 (twenty-one years ago)
Sec. 3, Clause 2: Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. (See Note 4)
I guess I could ask now how states are assigned their different classes, but I'm not feelin' it right now.
― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Friday, 20 August 2004 13:28 (twenty-one years ago)