Gov. Kathy Hochul has scheduled two special elections for legislative seats on the Nov. 2 general Election Day to increase voter turnout and save taxpayer dollars.
On September 17, 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a special proclamation declaring a special election for two vacant seats in the state Legislature.
The special elections will be held on Election Day on November 2, 2021 to help ensure better voter turnout and to save taxpayer money.
Victor Picherdo, D-Bronx, who won a special election in 2013, held the 86th Assembly District seat until he announced his resignation on September 10, 2021. Pichardo said he coil no longer balance his job as a legislator with his duties to his family.
Brian Benjamin, D-Manhattan, held the 30th Senate District from June 2017 until he announced his resignation on September 9, 2021. Benjamin now serves as the Lieutenant Governor of New York under Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“We know that special elections have historically had lower levels of voter participation and higher associated costs,” Hochul said. “To fill the vacancies in the Senate and Assembly, we are aligning the special elections for those seats with Election Day in November.
“This will not only encourage more voters to get out to the polls and increase voter turnout, it will save thousands of taxpayer dollars.”
