Bill > A00626

This bill modifies the procedure for filling vacancies in state senator and assembly member positions by establishing a new special election process. Under the proposed changes, when a vacancy occurs, the governor must issue a proclamation within three days calling for a special non-partisan election to be held 45 days from the proclamation date. Candidates must be nominated through independent nominating petitions, which require a minimum of signatures (either 5% of votes from the last gubernatorial election or 1,500 signatures for state senators and 750 for assembly members). These petition signatures must be collected after the governor's proclamation, and all nominating petitions must be filed within 15 days of the proclamation. The person elected through this special election will take office immediately upon qualification and serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. This approach differs from the previous method, which allowed party committees to fill vacancies, by instead providing a direct electoral process for voters to choose their representative.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A626