Article 1, Section 2, Clause 4: Vacancies

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The Vancancies Clause is short, straightforward, and uncontroversial, but nonetheless significant. It directs that whenever a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives, the state governor has the duty to call an election to fill the vacancy. The significance is that every Representative is always chosen by the people of his or her state; never by a process of succession or by gubernatorial or legislative appointment. This reinforces the character of the House of Representatives as representative of the people of the States.