RALEIGH, N.C. — On Friday, Gov. Mike Easley set the special election date for the 1st Congressional District seat as July 20, also the date of the state primary election, to ensure the district would not go without representation and to save money.

"I considered it necessary to hold a special election as soon as possible so the citizens who live in the 1st Congressional District would not go without representation in Congress," said Easley. "In addition, the state will save almost $500,000 by holding the special election on the same date as the primary."

Easley issued the writ of election to fill the vacancy in the United States House of Representatives caused by the resignation of Rep. Frank W. Ballance, Jr. based on

N.C. Statute 163-13

.

For the special election, voters can choose from one Republican, one Democrat, or possibly one Libertarian candidate. The parties will choose the candidates.

The special election winner will be sworn in once the results are certified on Aug. 2. That person will serve as the 1st District Congressman until January.

Possibly on the same ballot, voters will also narrow the field of permanent replacments. Voters will decide between four Democrats or two Republicans.

The top vote-getters move on to the November general election. The eventual winner starts a full two year term in congress in January.

First district party leaders will start meeting this weekend to determine which candidates will make the special election ballot. Mail-in absentee voting gets under way June 15. Early voting starts July 1 in the 1st district.