By 5 p.m. Friday, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin “is expected to make an appointment” to temporarily fill the seat left open by the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, according to a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by Manchin’s office.

The announcement came as Manchin, a Democrat, released the text of a succession bill that he wants the state Legislature to consider in a special session that will convene at noon Thursday. Manchin wants a new law enacted that will erase any question about how long an appointed fill-in Senator should serve.

“Releasing the bill early should give legislators enough time to give it a full and thorough review,” Manchin said in the news release. “Secretary of State Natalie Tennant informs us that absolutely every day counts if we are going to be able to have a special primary election.”