Gov. Bob Riley on Thursday announced the special election dates for Senate District 22, which became vacant with the death of Senator Pat Lindsey earlier this month. The special election will be held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the Senate term, which ends in November 2010.

The deadline for candidate qualification with the two major political parties is February 17 at 5:00 p.m. Party primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 14. Primary runoffs, if necessary, will take place on Tuesday, June 2. If no runoffs are necessary the general election will be held on Tuesday, June 2. In the event of a runoff, the general election will be held on Tuesday, July 21.

The governor’s office has communicated the schedule to the two major political parties and the probate judges of all in Senate District 22. Due to U.S. Department of Justice requirements, the special election could not be held in time to allow the winner to assume office during the 2009 regular session of the Legislature. Those requirements include allowing enough time between elections so all votes, particularly absentee ballots from overseas military personnel, can be cast and counted.