Missouri governor considers special legislative elections

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon says he is looking at calling special elections to fill four vacant seats in the Missouri Legislature.

Nixon stopped short Thursday of definitively saying he will set special election dates, but he indicated he may do so. He gave no time frame for when that might occur.

The governor is facing a lawsuit seeking to compel him to call the special elections.

One of the Missouri House seats has been vacant since last June, when Rep. Jason Smith won a special election to Congress. Two other House seats and a Senate seat became vacant in December because of resignations.

A Missouri law says the governor "shall, without delay, issue a writ of election" to fill vacant legislative seats.