Voters will get to vote twice Nov. 5 in the 8th District congressional race, once in a special election and once in the general election.

Gov. Mel Carnahan Tuesday set the special election.

The winner of the special election will fill the unexpired term of Bill Emerson, who died June 22 of lung cancer. The winner of the general election will serve the congressional term beginning in January. The winner of the special election could garner the most votes in the general election for the two-year term that begins in January.

Chris Sifford, Carnahan's director of communications, said the governor felt it was important for Southeast Missouri to be represented in Congress before the start of the new session in January.

"It's more convenient and cost effective to do it at the time of a scheduled election," said Sifford. Several county clerks had requested the elections be held simultaneously.

The Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties must call meetings within two weeks to select their nominees.

Libertarian candidate Greg Tlapek of Cape Girardeau already is on the general election ballot.

Independent candidates have until 5 p.m. Sept. 24 to file petitions with the secretary of state's office to get on the special election ballot.

A person needs 3,692 signatures of 8th District registered voters to run as an independent candidate.

The 8th District Republican Committee will meet Aug. 27 at Poplar Bluff. The committee has well over 100 members.

"I don't think this is going to be a long meeting," said Donna Lichtenegger of Jackson, who chairs the committee.

Emerson's widow, Jo Ann Emerson, is listed as an independent candidate on the general election ballot. She likely will be named the Republican candidate on the special election ballot.

She said holding two elections simultaneously could confuse voters. She said the news media could help explain the circumstances surrounding the election.

Emerson said she hopes the 8th District Republican Committee will select her as the party's nominee for the special election.

Richard Kline of Gipsy, who won the Republican primary, wants to be the party's nominee in the special election too. But he concedes that GOP leaders haven't supported him; they favor Emerson.

"If the Republican Party does go with the independent candidate, they obviously are going to split the ticket," said Kline . "They obviously are going to split the vote, and the Republican Party is going to lose a congressman from the 8th District," he said.

"This does get stupid, doesn't it?"

Emily Firebaugh of Farmington, who won the Democratic primary, is expected to be that party's nominee in the special election. She said she looks forward to both elections.

Firebaugh campaign spokesman Chris Keuleman said, "I think voters of the district understand the special circumstances surrounding the upcoming elections."

He said he doesn't know when the Democratic committee will meet.