Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) extended hospitalization is drawing new attention to an unresolved legal question in Kentucky that could trigger a high-stakes court battle if the longtime Republican senator were unable to complete his term.

The question carries added urgency because Kentucky’s revised Senate vacancy law creates a narrow window for holding a special election before this fall’s already scheduled Senate race, raising the stakes if the former Republican Senate majority leader’s seat were to become vacant in the coming weeks.