WITH SIX EMPTY SEATS, 1.1 million Floridians will lack representation in a chamber of the state Legislature.

TALLAHASSEE — More than 1.1 million Florida voters won’t have a representative in one of the legislative chambers when the 2018 session begins Jan. 9.

Resignations and a recent death have created six open seats, with most expected to remain vacant through the 60-day session because of scheduling requirements for special elections.

The vacancies do little to alter the Republican hold on both chambers, with the GOP up 23-15 in the Senate and 76-40 in the House entering the 2018 session.

But a vacancy can mean additional work for other lawmakers.

More importantly, Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, said people in districts short of full representation could struggle to see local needs and funding advanced.

“Some districts have certain issues that are important which may not be pursued at all or pursued with the same vigor,” he said. “Every district may have specific issues or projects that they would like funded. In the absence of representation, it is likely they will not get their share of the appropriations pie.

“The system is set up so that most members primarily listen to and try to help their own constituents,’’ Jewett added. “Some years ago, when I was in college, I interned with my state representative. One of the first things that I was taught when being contacted by someone was to get their address and find out if they lived in the district. If they did not, I was directed to steer them towards their appropriate elected official.”

However, he noted that district staff members usually remain in place until new lawmakers are seated, which helps with some constituent services.

Jewett also said a lawmaker leaving unexpectedly could affect bills that the lawmaker sponsored or planned to champion.

As an example, former Rep. Alex Miller, a Sarasota Republican, resigned in August, pointing to family and work obligations as well as House leadership issues.

She had earlier announced plans to pursue new state wildlife laws after videos surfaced of people abusing sharks.

Since her departure, no one has taken up the issue.

Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, a Republican from The Villages who died of cancer last month, backed five local projects, including proposals that would provide money to Lake-Sumter State College and make improvements to County Road 466A, which runs through The Villages.

Leon Circuit Judge Charles Dodson this month rejected arguments by Florida Democratic Party leaders that special elections in two legislative districts should be held more quickly so the seats could be filled for at least part of the legislative session.

He described as “unfortunate” the timing of the resignations of former Sen. Jeff Clemens in Palm Beach County’s Senate District 31 and former Rep. Daisy Baez in Miami-Dade County’s House District 114. But he said moving up special election dates set by Gov. Rick Scott could lead to an argument that shorter windows for absentee voting would prevent people from casting ballots.

“I wish I could do something,” Dodson said as he ruled against the party’s request. “But there really isn’t time to do it.”

State law requires 45 days for absentee voting before special and general elections.

The party had argued that the requirement shouldn’t apply to special elections.

Here are details of the seats that will be vacant for all or part of the session, which starts Jan. 9 and is scheduled to end March 9:

HOUSE 33: Vacant because of the death of Republican Don Hahnfeldt of The Villages.

HOUSE 39: Vacant because of the resignation of Auburndale Republican Neil Combee.

HOUSE 72: Vacant because of the resignation of Sarasota Republican Alex Miller.

HOUSE 114: Vacant because of the resignation of Coral Gables Democrat Daisy Baez.

SENATE 16: Vacant because of the resignation of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala.

SENATE 31: Vacant because of the resignation of Lake Worth Democrat Jeff Clemens.