New York State Assembly

Bill No.:  

 
•  Summary 
 
•  Actions 
 
•  Committee Votes 
 
•  Floor Votes 
 
•  Memo 
 
•  Text 
 
•  LFIN 
 
•  Chamber Video/Transcript 

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A04881 Summary:

BILL NO	A04881
SAME AS	SAME AS S04588
SPONSOR	Heastie
COSPNSR
MLTSPNSR
Amd §42, Pub Off L
Sets procedures for when special elections may be consolidated with general elections.

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A04881 Actions:

BILL NO	A04881
02/07/2025	referred to election law
01/07/2026	referred to election law

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A04881 Committee Votes:

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A04881 Floor Votes:

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A04881 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)



 
BILL NUMBER: A4881
 
SPONSOR: Heastie

 
TITLE OF BILL:
 
An act to amend the public officers law, in relation to filling vacan-
cies in elective offices
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
The purpose of this bill is to increase efficiency in certain special
elections.
 
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
 
Section 1 establishes the Legislative Findings.
 
Section 2 amends subdivision 3 of section 42 of the public officers law
to grant more flexibility in scheduling special elections.
 
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:

The current system of filling federal and state elected office vacancies
places undue financial and operational burdens on local boards of
elections and exacerbates voter confusion and fatigue by asking voters
to frequently participate in elections throughout the year, thus result-
ing in lower voter turnout and decreased participation in the electoral
process. This bill seeks to create such efficiencies and increase voter
turnout by allowing for the combination of special elections with gener-
al election dates when the special election would occur close in time
with a general election date already determined by the State Board of
Elections.
 
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
 
This is new legislation. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  Anticipated cost savings
due to consolidated elections.
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately. Notwithstanding any provision of
law, this act shall apply to any vacancy for which a proclamation may be
issued under section 42 of the public officers law but has not yet been
issued as of the effective date of this act.

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