Final answer:
Vacancies for governmental offices like the lieutenant governor or Vice President are filled through elections by the Senate or nominations by the President, respectively, with subsequent confirmation required. State Senate vacancies are handled by state executives with special elections or temporary appointments as legislated.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an officer is unable to complete her term of office, the process for filling the vacancy depends on the specific office in question. For instance, if the office of the lieutenant governor becomes vacant, the members of the Senate elect a successor from within their ranks.
Should the lieutenant governor be absent or temporarily unable to act, the president pro tempore of the Senate assumes the lieutenant governor’s duties.
At a federal level, concerning the office of the Vice President, Section 2 of the relevant directive stipulates that when there’s a vacancy, the President nominates a new Vice President who must be confirmed by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
In the event of the removal, death, resignation, or inability of the President to discharge their duties, these duties devolve upon the Vice President.
Furthermore, Congress has the authority to legislate on which officers may act as President in the event that both the President and Vice President are unable to fulfill their roles.
Regarding Senate vacancies, the executive authority of the affected state issues writs of election to fill such vacancies. Additionally, state legislatures may allow the state executive to make temporary appointments until a special election can be held, as directed by the legislature.