1. a. In the case of a vacancy in the representation of this State in the House of Representatives, the writ shall designate the next general election day or a special election day for the election, in accordance with subsection b. of this section. If a special day is designated for the election, the writ shall specify the cause and purpose of such election, the name of the officer in whose office the vacancy has occurred, and the day on which the special election shall be held.
b. (1) When a vacancy, howsoever caused, happens in the representation of this State in the House of Representatives and the unexpired term to be filled equals or exceeds 180 days after the happening of the vacancy, the writ shall designate the day on which a special primary election shall be held, which shall be not less than 70 days nor more than 76 days following the date of issuance of the writ . The writ shall also designate the day on which the special election shall be held, which shall be not less than 64 nor more than 70 days following the day of the special primary election.
(a) When the latest date on which a special primary election or special election may be held pursuant to this paragraph is not more than 45 days prior to the day on which the primary election or general election is to be held, the writ shall designate the date of such primary election or general election as the day on which the special primary election or special election shall be held.
(b) When the latest date on which a special primary election or special election may be held pursuant to this paragraph is not more than 25 days following the day on which the primary election or general election is to be held, the writ shall designate a date not less than 26 days nor more than 32 days following the primary election or general election as the day on which the special primary election or special election shall be held.
(2) When a vacancy, howsoever caused, happens in the representation of this State in the House of Representatives and the unexpired term to be filled is less than 180 days but not less than 135 days after the happening of the vacancy, the writ shall designate the general election day as the day on which the election shall be held to fill such vacancy.
In such case, each political party shall select its candidate to fill such vacancy in the same manner prescribed in R.S.19:13-20 for selecting candidates to fill vacancies arising among candidates nominated at primary elections, except that the time for making such selection and filing the statement thereof shall be within 10 days following the issuance of the writ of election.
In such case, petitions of nomination of other candidates shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of State within 10 days of the date of issuance of the writ.
The Secretary of State, on the 20th day following the date of issuance of the writ, shall certify to the clerk and county board of each county affected by the vacancy a statement of all candidates selected and nominated for the office so vacated.
The election to fill such vacancy shall in all other respects be conducted as though it were being conducted to fill the office upon the expiration of the term of the incumbent.
c. The Secretary of State shall be authorized to modify any deadline or timeframe imposed by this Title if necessary to effectuate the provisions of subsection b. of this section.