Empire State Today

Good morning, readers. An op-ed published in the New York Post has sparked discussions regarding a proposed change to the timeline for special elections in New York. The article, written by Paul Dreyer, criticizes this move as a threat to democracy.

According to Dreyer, "Democrats are quick to label President Trump and other Republicans as 'threats to democracy,' but their latest proposal in New York poses a far more concrete threat to the democratic process." This proposal is reportedly being considered by Governor Kathy Hochul, influenced by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The controversy arises as Republican Representative Elise Stefanik prepares to vacate her seat to assume the role of ambassador to the United Nations. The current law mandates that a special election must be called within 10 days of any congressional vacancy, with voting occurring 70 to 80 days thereafter.

However, the state Legislature's new proposal could extend both the time frame for calling and conducting these elections. Such changes might delay voting until June or even November, potentially leaving Stefanik’s district without representation for an extended period.

Critics argue that this adjustment aims at giving Democrats an advantage in replacing Stefanik while hindering House Republicans' efforts. Dreyer concludes that "it’s wrong" and highlights it as a hypocritical stance against democracy.