Here's What Happens If Al Franken Resigns

SAINT PAUL, MN — A slew of Democratic senators Wednesday called for Sen. Al Franken to resign after another woman accused the Minnesota Democrat of trying to forcibly kiss her during a taping of his radio show in 2006. Franken's office said that he would make an announcement Thursday. It did not say whether he would resign.

If Franken chooses to resign, what happens next?

Franken is a two-term incumbent who was last elected in 2014; his term is up in 2020.

Following Senate and state rules, if Franken does step down this year, or any time before June 29, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, also a Democrat, would appoint someone to take his seat and a special election would be held in November 2018 to choose a replacement.

The November 2018 election in Minnesota is already jam-packed with big races that include Senator Amy Klobuchar's seat, the gubernatorial race, and a number of U.S. House elections.

A Franken resignation and subsequent special election in 2018 could throw Democrats' Minnesota midterm election strategy into chaos.

Why is June 29 important? Because Minnesota law says the special election must be held at the very next November election if the vacancy occurs at least 11 weeks before the regular state primary preceding that election. If the vacancy occurs less than 11 weeks before the regular state primary preceding the next November election, the special election must be held at the second November election after the vacancy occurs.

A Minnesota senator was last replaced under the 17th Amendment in 2002, when Gov. Jesse Ventura appointed Dean Barkley after Sen. Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash a month earlier. Barkley served until Jan. 3, 2003 until Republican Norm Coleman, who won the regular election in November 2002, took office.

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Photo credit: Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., returns to his office after talking to the media on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)