GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Thursday announced that the special election for the vacancy in Precinct 3 following the untimely demise of the late Rep. Ivan A. Blanco will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16.
According to Section 9 of Article II of the Commonwealth Constitution, “[a] vacancy in the legislature shall be filled by a special election if one-half or more of the term remains.”
A Republican, Blanco was elected to the House of Representatives of the 22nd Commonwealth Legislature from Precinct 3 in the 2020 general election.
He was sworn in on Monday, January 11.
He passed away on July 23, 2021 at the age of 44.
In a letter dated Monday, Aug. 9, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez officially notified the Office of the Governor of the vacancy.
All nomination petitions for the special election must be filed with the Commonwealth Election Commission on or before Friday, Sept. 3, 2021.
The CEC must act on these petitions on or before Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, and must designate and publicize polling places for this special election no later than 15 days prior to the special election.
Speaker Villagomez, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, Rep. Vicente Castro and Rep. Denita K. Yangetmai currently represent Precinct 3 in the House.
Following the passing of Rep. Blanco, the 20-seat House now has eight Republicans, eight Democrats and three independents, two of whom are aligned with the Democrats and one aligned with the Republicans.
Ivan Blanco
