Election to replace Rep. Inslee confounded by redistricting

Inslee announced on Saturday he was stepping down from his House seat to focus on his run for governor against state Attorney General Rob McKenna (R).

Election officials told The Associated Press they had replace former Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), who died last week while in office.

Because the Washington district’s new lines are less favorable to Democrats than the old lines, there is also the possibility that two different candidates could win the special and general elections, leading to a situation where the special-election winner would serve for just one month.

Officials said they were also concerned about the confusion the balloting could wreak with voters, and are consulting with the Committee on House Administration.