New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A00626

Introduced
1/8/25  
Refer
1/8/25  

Caption

Relates to the procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of state senator or in the office of member of assembly; allows for independent nominating petitions to be presented and provides for a special election to be held forty-five days from the date of the governor making a proclamation for a special election.

Summary

Bill A00626 proposes amendments to the New York election law regarding the procedure for filling vacancies in the offices of state senator and member of assembly. The bill mandates that when a vacancy occurs, the governor must proclaim a special non-partisan election to fill the office within three days, with the election scheduled for forty-five days after the proclamation. Additionally, it allows candidates to be nominated through independent nominating petitions, requiring a specified number of signatures from voters in the relevant district.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly alter the current process for filling legislative vacancies in New York. It would shift from a party nomination process to a direct election process, thereby increasing voter involvement in the selection of their representatives. This change is expected to impact the timeline for filling vacancies and the dynamics of political representation in the state legislature.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding Bill A00626 appears to be cautiously optimistic, with discussions highlighting the potential for increased democratic participation through direct elections. However, there are concerns regarding the logistics of implementing independent nominating petitions and the implications for party structures.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the feasibility of the proposed timeline for special elections and the impact on party control over nominations. Some legislators express concern that the independent nominating process may disadvantage certain candidates, particularly those lacking resources or name recognition, while others argue it promotes a more democratic approach to filling vacancies.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY A00430

Relates to the procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of state senator or in the office of member of assembly; allows for independent nominating petitions to be presented and provides for a special election to be held forty-five days from the date of the governor making a proclamation for a special election.

NY A01702

Relates to the procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of state senator or in the office of member of assembly occurring in a district consisting of parts of more than one county in a city with a population of one million or more; allows for independent nominating petitions to be presented and provides for a special election to be held forty-five days from the date of the governor making a proclamation for a special election.

NY A01355

Relates to the procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of state senator or in the office of member of assembly occurring in a district consisting of parts of more than one county in a city with a population of one million or more; allows for independent nominating petitions to be presented and provides for a special election to be held forty-five days from the date of the governor making a proclamation for a special election.

NY HB2262

In dates of elections and primaries and special elections, further providing for special elections for United States Senator and nominations and for nominations for special election for Representative in Congress, Senator and Representative in the General Assembly and member of council or legislative body of cities, boroughs, towns and townships; and, in nominations of candidates, further providing for number of signers required for nomination petitions of candidates at primaries, for nominations by minor political parties, for place and time of filing nomination petitions and filing fees and for nominations by political bodies, repealing provisions relating to filing fee and further providing for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers and for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath.

NY HB0037

AN ACT relating to elections; providing for the nonpartisan nomination and election of candidates for specified county elected offices; modifying the procedure to fill vacancies for nonpartisan county elected offices; providing for the order of offices on nonpartisan election ballots; specifying the form of election ballots; making conforming amendments; repealing a conflicting provision; and providing for an effective date.

NY HF510

A bill for an act relating to petitions for special elections to fill vacancies in city offices.(Formerly HF 157.)

NY SB335

Requires special elections to fill vacancies in statewide elected offices other than U.S. Senator

NY SB1331

Requires special elections to fill vacancies in statewide elected offices other than U.S. Senator

NY HF157

A bill for an act relating to petitions for special elections to fill vacancies in city offices.(See HF 510.)

NY HB978

In district election officers, further providing for election officers to be sworn; in dates of el ections and primaries and special elections, further providing for affidavits of candidates; in nomination of candidates, further providing for petition may consist of several sheets and statement of circulator, for affidavits of candidates, for examination of nomination petitions, certificates and papers and return of rejected nomination petitions, certificates and papers, for vacancy in party nomination by failure to pay filing fee or for failure to file loyalty oath, for affidavits of candidates, for filling of certain vacancies in public office by means of nomination certificates and nomination papers and for substituted nominations to fill certain vacancies for a November election; in ballots, further providing for form of ballots and printing ballots; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of computing irregular ballots; and replacing references to "justice of the peace" with "magisterial district judge."

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.