To require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives not later than 45 days after the vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in extraordinary circumstances, and for other purposes.
Continuity in Representation Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends Federal law concerning the election of Senators and Representatives to require States to hold special elections for the House of Representatives within 49 days after a vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House in the extraordinary circumstance that vacancies in representation from the States exceed 100. Waives the 49-day requirement if, during the 75-day period beginning on the date of the vacancy announcement, a regularly scheduled general election or another special election for the office involved is to be held.
Requires determination of the candidates who will run in the special election: (1) not later than ten days after the vacancy announcement by the political parties authorized by State law to nominate candidates; or (2) by any other method the State considers appropriate.
Sets forth requirements for judicial review of any action brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge such a vacancy announcement. Requires a final decision within three days of the filing of such an action. Makes a final decision non-reviewable.
Requires a State, in conducting a special election under this Act, to ensure to the greatest extent practicable (including through the use of electronic means) that absentee ballots are transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters not later than 15 days after the Speaker of the House announces that the vacancy exists. Requires a State to accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other election material from an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, as long as the ballot or other material is received by the appropriate State election official not later than 45 days after the State transmits it to the voter.
Applies this Act to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Baird moved to strike the enacting clause.
Floor summary: DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to strike the enacting clause.
Motion to strike the enacting clause withdrawn.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 841.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Mr. Conyers moved to recommit with instructions to House Administration. (consideration: CR H967-969)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Conyers motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which adds a new paragraph with provisions for minimum required voting systems and poll workers in polling places used in special elections.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 196 - 223 (Roll no. 51).
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On passage. Passed by voice vote.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table without objection.
PROCEEDINGS VACATED - By unanimous consent, the proceedings by which the motion to reconsider was laid on the table were vacated and the Chair restated the question on adoption of the bill. Subsequently, Ms. Millender-McDonald demanded a recorded vote on the question of passage of the bill.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 329 - 68 (Roll no. 52).
Roll Call #52 (House)On passage Passed by recorded vote: 329 - 68 (Roll no. 52).
Roll Call #52 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 61.