Recent congressional special elections the Governor declared without delay or excuses include NY-26 and NY-3
From the Office of NY State Senator George Borrello, read his full letter to the Governor
ALBANY, NY – Senator George Borrello has called on Governor Kathy Hochul to veto a blatant attempt by legislative Democrats to manipulate elections and silence voters through new legislation that would delay special elections for elective office vacancies.
Under current law, the governor must call a special election within 90 days to ensure voters aren’t without representation for longer than necessary. Borrello noted in his letter that Hochul had no issue following this law when filling the recent vacancies left by Brian Higgins and George Santos—but now, Democrats want to change the rules in light of an impending vacancy in the 21st congressional district in order to give a political advantage to congressional Democrats.
“This isn’t about saving money or increasing turnout—it’s about rigging the system,” Borrello said. “New Yorkers deserve full representation, not partisan games.”
When Higgins resigned on February 2, 2024, Hochul immediately scheduled an election for April 30. When Santos was expelled on December 1, 2023, she set a special election for February 13. Borrello noted that no one complained about cost or turnout then—but now that a Republican seat is at stake, Democrats suddenly want to delay elections.
“By continually bowing to political special interests, Governor Hochul has only driven her approval ratings down, because New Yorkers see right through these schemes. It’s time for her to step up and speak on behalf of the people that she serves,” said Borrello.
“Democrats self-righteously hold themselves up as the champions of democracy. Yet here in Albany, those claims ring hollow as we’ve watched them brazenly bend both the electoral and judicial systems to serve their partisan aims in recent years,” Borrello said.
“Delaying special elections is a direct attack on democracy that would leave hundreds of thousands without a voice in Washington. If Gov. Hochul truly believes in fair representation, she must veto this bill and prove she serves the people—not her party’s political machine.”
Attached is the letter that Senator Borrello sent to Governor Hochul with his request.
