There was disagreement Friday about what state law says happens in that scenario.

Fitzgerald spokesman Dan Romportl maintained, in a statement, that the administrators “are forced out and the commissions begin a search for their replacements.”

Elections Commission chairman Mark Thomsen, appointed by a Democrat, disagreed. Thomsen argued the law makes clear the commission “has sole power to decide whether Mr. Haas stays on” in an interim role — while making clear Haas has the commission’s support.

Rick Champagne, chief of the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, emphasized state law says the administrators serve with the Senate’s “advice and consent.”

A Senate “no” vote on confirming the administrators would mean “you do not have their consent. The appointment is no longer valid” and the position vacated, Champagne said.

Haas said in a Friday statement that he was surprised by the calls for him to resign and that he has requested to meet with Fitzgerald about it.

“I believe he and other legislators know that our agency has operated in a completely nonpartisan manner under the direction of the bipartisan commission,” Haas said.