A member of theUnited States Senate canresign by writing a letter of resignation to thegovernor of the state that the senator represents.^[1] UnderArticle I, Section 3 of theConstitution of the United States, and under theSeventeenth Amendment, in case of a vacancy in the Senate resulting from resignation, the executive authority of the state (today known in every state as the governor) can make a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy if so authorized by the state legislature. A special election may follow depending on timing and state law. Whenever a senator needs to be appointed or elected, theSecretary of the Senate mails one of three forms to the state's governor to inform that person of the proper wording to certify the appointment of a new Senator.^[2]

The first resignation from the Senate was that ofWilliam Paterson of New Jersey on November 13, 1790, who resigned in order to accept the office ofGovernor of New Jersey.^{[citation needed]} His resignation was only the third time a person ceased to hold a seat in the Senate, which had first convened during the preceding year, 1789. The earlier ones resulted from the death of SenatorWilliam Grayson ofVirginia, and the expiration of the term of the temporary senatorJohn Walker of Virginia, who was appointed by theGovernor of Virginia to hold that office until a successor could be elected in November.^{[citation needed]}

Before 1796, eight senators resigned. Nine senators resigned during that year—a record-high number that stands to this day.^{[citation needed]} Most resignations have been motivated either by declining health or a decision to accept another office.^{[citation needed]} Sixteen persons have resigned from the Senate twice and two have resigned three times.^{[citation needed]}

• Resignations
• United States Senate

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