[Keith in Iowa]

The AG is WRONG...if Ventura appointed someone to fill Wellstone's term, it would be until January, not the election day - the term ends in January.

[smpte]

However appointees to a seat have their terms expire at the next general election... (e.g. Carnahan situation).

[capitan_refugio]

You are correct. This election is the regular election for the seat. The person elected is scheduled to take the seat Jan 3, 2003. This is not a special election, like the one in Missouri, where the winner could be seated "immediately." Of course, the final arbiter of Senate membership is the Senate. So, conceivably, they could seat the winner of the November election early if they so desired.

[lstanle]

"The AG is WRONG...if Ventura appointed someone to fill Wellstone's term, it would be until January, not the election day - the term ends in January"

I heard some talking head on TV say that state law requires that the winner of the election in a situation like this would be immediately sworn in and take the Senate seat.