As Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) approaches the end of his third term in 2026, it is not clear if he’s running for re-election or plans to retire from Congress. Read online: <a href="

Oregon's U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley speak at a town hall at Portland's Jefferson High School in 2019. Neither politician plans to step down before his term ends -- but if that were to happen, a bill awaiting Gov. Tina Kotek's signature would allow her to appoint a temporary replacement. Photo by Eder Campuzano/Staff

Senate Bill 952 would allow the governor to appoint someone to fill a suddenly vacant U.S. Senate seat rather than wait for a special election A bill allowing Oregon’s governor to appoint a U.S. senator for the state in the event of an unexpected vacancy is now a governor’s signature away from becoming law.

The bill would require the governor of Oregon to appoint a U.S. senator within 30 days of a vacancy and a special election within 150 days.

Under current law, vacancies in both Oregon U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats are filled by special election, with no gubernatorial appointment available. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, just four other states prohibit governors from making U.S. Senate appointments.

The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear a case against late mail-in ballots in Illinois. Washington State accepts postmarked ballots after Election Day and could be affected by the case's decision.