On February 6, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Jamie Romeo as Monroe County Clerk. Romeo resigned her seat in the 136th district in the New York State Assembly to take the appointment.
According to New York law: “Filling of vacancies. Except as hereinafter provided, a vacancy in an elective county office, shall be filled by the governor by appointment and for the office of sheriff with the advice and consent of the senate if in session. ”
In New York, the governor fills vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. If the vacancy occurs before April 1, the governor can call a special election. If the state legislature calls a special session after April 1, the governor may call a special election to fill the seat. The person elected to fill the vacancy serves for the remainder of the unexpired term. There are currently three open seats in the New York State Assembly.
As of Feb. 11, Governor Cuomo’s office had yet to announce if a special election will take place to replace Romeo.
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