Cahill Renews Call for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Special Elections to Fill Vacancies in Statewide Offices

May 20, 2010

Albany – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D- Ulster, Dutchess) has renewed his call for a constitutional amendment (A.580 and A.581) that would allow for special elections in the event of a vacancy in a statewide office. The legislation was first introduced in 2007 following an opening in the State Comptroller’s Office. Currently, four out of six statewide offices are held by individuals who were not elected to their respective positions.

“I have long believed that voters should be afforded every opportunity to choose their representatives in government. This year, every statewide office is up for election,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “Especially when considering the events of the last four years, it is clear that the issue of succession is one that deserves thorough discussion and debate.”

Currently, in the event of an opening, the Governor is charged with the task of appointing an individual to the U.S. Senate while the legislature is required to fill the office of the Attorney General and Comptroller. The proposed Constitutional Amendment would reform this process and permit the governor to call for a special election for these statewide offices to be held within forty five to sixty days after the proclamation.

"We must reform the process, but changes cannot come about at the expense of the State Constitution. That is why I am calling for an amendment that would allow for special elections,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “It is important to the integrity of our system of government that individuals serving in these statewide offices are duly elected by the people of New York.”

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