§ 628Special Elections for Senator and Representative in the General Assembly

Whenever a vacancy
shall occur in either house of the General Assembly whether or
not it then be in session, the presiding officer of such house
shall, within ten (10) days after the happening of the vacancy,
issue a writ of election to the proper county board or boards
of election and to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, for a
special election to fill said vacancy, which election shall be
held at the next ensuing primary, municipal or general election
scheduled at least sixty (60) days after the issuance of the
writ or such other earlier date which is at least sixty (60)
days following the issuance of the writ as the presiding officer
may deem appropriate: Provided, however, That should the
Governor after the issuance of the said writ of election advise
the presiding officer that the General Assembly will be called
into extraordinary session prior to the date set for such
special election, the presiding officer may countermand the

writ theretofore issued and shall issue a new writ of election,
fixing therein such earlier date therefor as is deemed
expedient, but which shall not be less than sixty (60) days
after the issuance of said writ: Provided further, That if the
vacancy shall occur less than seven (7) months prior to the
expiration of the term, a special election shall be held only
if in the opinion of the presiding officer the election is in
the public interest.
   (628 amended Feb. 13, 1998, P.L.72, No.18)