Resolution calling upon the New York State Governor to call for a special election to fill all vacancies in the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate.

By Council Members Barron, Cumbo, Dickens, Dromm, Eugene, Ferreras, Koo, Levin, Rosenthal, Vallone, Williams and Ulrich

Whereas, Following local elections in 2013, seven state Assembly members and one State Senator resigned their posts to fill other offices to which they were newly elected; and

Whereas, In addition, two other Assembly seats and one Senate seat have also been vacated since the last statewide election, bringing the total number to nine Assembly seats and two Senate seats; and

Whereas, The New York State Legislature still has to complete a full legislative session in 2014, including budget negotiations, and it is unfair and undemocratic for voters who reside in the vacated districts to not have representation during this session; and

Whereas, Residents of New York City are particularly affected by this type of disenfranchisement, since more than half of the vacancies are located in New York City; and

Whereas, The Governor of New York State has the ability to correct this situation immediately by calling for a special election to fill the vacant seats; and

Whereas, However, the Governor has indicated that he does not plan to call for special elections, and that therefore seats will not be filled until the next session of the Legislature begins in 2015; and

Whereas, Voters, good government groups, and elected officials and have all expressed concern that as a result of this decision many constituencies will be left unrepresented during important and controversial legislative debates and votes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Governor to call for a special election to fill all vacancies in the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate.

LS 405

1/30/2014