Can someone please explain this:

[Chasstev365]

If US Senators are appointed by governors to fill vacancies, why is there a Senate election in Alabama?

[Break time]

1. Because

Every state is different

[jberryhill]

2. Because the manner of replacing US Senators is a matter of state law

Different states, different laws.

US law provides the states with the ability to determine the manner in which they replace US senators.

Some states do it by appointment of the governor. Some states do it by running a special election.

Some states do it by appointment of the governor until a special election can be held.

Different states, different laws.

[gopiscrap]

3. they are only appointed for a short reasonable time

until an election could be held to finish out the rest of the original term. It used to be many years ago that governor's always appointed US Senators

[mercuryblues]

4. special election

when a senate seat becomes available the Governor can name a seat holder until a special election can be held.

[gratuitous]

5. Different states have different rules, and timing is one of the considerations

Some states allow governors to appoint a replacement for a Senator who leaves in the middle of his term. That's what got Rod Blagojevich in trouble in Illinois when Senator Obama became President Obama at the end of 2008. In some states, it depends on how long the unfilled term is. Sen. Sessions left to become Attorney General Sessions with nearly four years left on his six year term. The governor was originally considering holding off on a special election to replace Sessions until the 2018 general, but that seemed too long to go with only one Senator, so the special was moved up to December 2017.

[Chasstev365]

6. Got it: Thanks!