If a sitting senator dies, the procedures for filling the resulting vacancy depend on the laws and regulations of the state from which the senator was serving. However, in most US states, the governor has the authority to appoint a replacement senator to fill the vacancy, and the individual appointed is usually a member of the same political party as the outgoing senator. This appointment is typically temporary until a special election can be held. Some states require a special election to be held to fill the Senate vacancy for the remainder of the term, and the timing of this election varies from state to state but is often held within a few months. It is important to note that there are a few exceptions to these rules, and some states require the governor to appoint a replacement of the same political party as the previous incumbent, or to choose from a list of nominees submitted by the previous senators party.