Action News Now reporter Bella Barbosa reports live from the Action News Now studio in Chico. The passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa has left California’s 1st District seat vacant. The vacancy occurred with an entire year remaining in LaMalfa’s term, which began its second year on January 3.
CHICO, Calif. – The passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa has left California’s 1st District seat vacant. The vacancy has occurred with an entire year remaining in LaMalfa’s current term, which began its second year on January 3.
In the State of California, the responsibility to call for a special election falls on the governor when a congressional seat becomes vacant. Unlike the Senate, where appointments can be made, the Constitution mandates that any replacement for the House of Representatives must be elected. This means California Governor Gavin Newsom must call for a special election to fill LaMalfa’s seat.
State law requires the governor to issue a special election proclamation within 14 days of the vacancy. The special election must then be held between 126 to 140 days after the governor’s announcement. This timeline suggests the special election could coincide with California’s June 2 primary. If no candidate receives a majority, a special general election will be necessary.
Charley Turner, a professor of political science at Chico State, explained the timing considerations for such elections.
“A lot depends on the timing. Obviously, it wouldn’t make sense if you were, you know, a month before a general election to call for an election right in between there. So there has to be at least, you know, 100 and some days notice because you want to actually be able to have a campaign so that the voters can know who the candidates are before they vote in an election,” Turner said.
Proposition 50 maps are set to go into effect in the midterms this year. While the redrawn districts were approved last November, a special election to fill LaMalfa’s seat would mean voters would decide who serves the remainder of LaMalfa’s current term under the old district map. If the special election is scheduled for the June primaries, voters may have to vote twice for some candidates—once for the current term and once for the newly drawn district.
Turner also highlighted the political implications of the vacancy for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, with House Republicans having an even slimmer majority.
“With the passing of Mr. LaMalfa, he has 218 Republicans in the House, which is kind of the bare majority that he would need to guarantee himself a majority. If the seat were either unfilled or in a special election, were filled by a Democrat, then that would make it really close to where the Republicans really couldn’t lose more than about one vote to pass things along party lines,” said Turner.
The process of filling a vacant seat is not uncommon. Past Congressional sessions have seen several vacancies due to death or resignation. Six special elections were held in 2025, with three more expected this year, though the rules for filling a seat differ from state to state. If a special election is held, the elected individual could be sworn in as soon as the results are certified.