Gov. John Engler announced Wednesday special elections to fill three available seats in the Michigan House and Senate.

The seats were left empty after U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers’ successful bid for the 8th congressional district, state Rep. Janet Kukuk’s death due to cancer in November and Detroit Democrat Virgil Smith’s resignation from the state Senate to become the deputy prosecuting attorney for Wayne County.

By law, all spots must be filled by a special election, as well as a primary, if necessary. The election date has been set for March 20.

Although some Republican Party members already have announced their candidacy, Democrats still have no candidate, Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Dennis Denno said.

“Nobody has announced anything,” Denno said. “I think it’s still early - we’ll have a candidate. I can’t think of any race where we haven’t had a candidate file to run.”

The deadline for candidates to announce their intent to run is Jan. 23. Candidates are allowed to withdraw from the race until Jan. 26.

With a number of Republicans interested in the available position left by Rogers for Michigan’s 26th Senate District, some believe the race will come down to the GOP primary. A primary already has been scheduled for Feb. 27.

Some of the candidates who are ready for a fast pace election already have started door-to-door campaigning.

Larry Julian, R-Lennon, has put together a staff to work on his campaign.

“I don’t worry about either (the primary or election),” Julian said. “I work all day every day, and the people will decide if they want me to be their senator.”

Despite some of the excitement surrounding the election, Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics magazine, a Lansing-based newsletter, believes the turnout for the special elections will not be anything to get excited about.

“It will be putrid - awful” he said. “They always are for special elections. People just don’t vote.”