Special elections will be held Jan. 11 to fill two vacant legislative seats and an open position on the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

Gov. Haley Barbour announced the date on Monday. Candidates’ qualifying deadline for the elections is Dec. 12. Runoffs, if necessary, will be Feb. 1.

The elections are being held to fill the seats vacated by Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo and Rep. Steven Palazzo of Biloxi. The two Republicans won seats in the U.S. House on Nov. 2, and both resigned from the Legislature effective Monday, said Barbour spokesman Dan Turner.

Northern Transportation Commissioner Bill Minor died Nov. 1.

The winners of the elections will serve the remainder of the terms, through January 2012. The positions will be on the ballot again in November 2011 as part of the regular election cycle.

The secretary of state’s office said to qualify for the transportation seat, a candidate must be a registered voter and resident of the northern Supreme Court district. Each candidate must submit a statement of intent and a petition with at least 300 certified signatures; the documents to the secretary of state’s office.

To run for Senate, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, a registered voter of Mississippi for four years and a resident of the district at least two years before the election. Each must submit a statement of intent and a petition with at least 50 signatures.

To run for the House, a candidate must be at least 21 years old, a registered voter, at least a four-year resident of the state and a resident of the district for at least two years immediately preceding the election. A statement of intent is required, as is a petition with at least 50 signatures.