Sen. Frank Lautenberg dead at 89

[Jim Lane]

56. Uncertainty about the term of Christie's appointee

Apparently it's clear that Christie can call a special election, preceded by a primary. In that event, his appointee would serve until the special election; the winner of the special election would finish Lautenberg's term; and, beginning in January 2015, the seat would be filled by the winner of the regular election in November 2014.

There's some indication, however, that there might be an attempt to argue that the special election isn't mandatory. On this view, Christie's appointee would serve until the November 2014 election. The winner of that election would complete the last couple months of Lautenberg's term and then begin his or her own full term in January.

Possibilities recapped here: "Death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg sets up political choices for Christie".