[IMRight]

...whenever a vacancy shall occur by reason of any cause other than the expiration of the term;

You're getting closer, but in my hypothetical, the vacancy does not occur by reason of the expiration of the term. The vacancy is created because Torch resigns a month before his term ends (he's just not feeling well).

The real answer is... even though poorly worded, this statute cannot be constued to overrule, invalidate, or otherwise cancel a regular election at the end of a term.

[deport]

I agree..... Never meant to imply otherwise. Pepsi One .....