The Oregon Secretary of State has outlined the process for filling the seat vacated by Oregon state Sen. Alan Bates, who died last week. Bates represented Oregon's 3rd District in the Oregon Senate.
Jackson County Commissioners will first nominate someone to fill the seat for the remainder of the year. Since Bates was a Democrat, the nominations will come from the Jackson County Democratic Party.
“And then there will also need to be a nominating process to have someone on the ballot in November," said Molly Woon, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office. "All parties can participate in that. It is an open election to fill the remaining two-years of his seat.”
Woon said the parties must have the nominations for the November ballot submitted by Aug. 30.
Bates died Aug. 5 while fishing with his son on the Rogue River. He was 71 years-old. The cause of death is under investigation.
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