Special Election OK'd For Byrd's Seat

West Virginia's attorney general says Gov. Joe Manchin can put the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd's seat on the ballot in November, the Associated Press reported. Manchin requested a legal opinion from Attorney General Darrell McGraw, who issued one today. Manchin says he doesn't want voters to wait until 2012, when Byrd would have faced re-election.

Byrd had just over 30 months left in his term. Manchin may call a special legislative session to settle details such as candidate filing and party nomination deadlines. Manchin will appoint someone to fill the vacancy in the interim.

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