What's happening
This bill requires candidates for governor and lieutenant governor in New York to be nominated and appear on ballots jointly as a single ticket.
Why it matters
Ensures Governor and Lieutenant Governor Run as a Team. By requiring these candidates to be nominated and appear on the ballot jointly, the bill aims to prevent situations where a governor and lieutenant governor from the same party might have conflicting agendas or strained working relationships, potentially improving executive branch cohesion.
Reduces Voter Confusion and Strategic Voting. Voters will no longer pick a governor and lieutenant governor separately, making the election process more straightforward and possibly reducing instances of split-ticket voting that can lead to unexpected or incompatible pairings in the executive office.
Shifts Internal Party Dynamics. Political parties must now coordinate to select and promote a unified ticket for these two top offices, which may increase transparency and collaboration during the nomination process while potentially reducing intra-party rivalry and backroom deals.
May Impact Representation and Diversity. Since lieutenant governors will be chosen as running mates rather than through separate primaries, this could affect the diversity of candidates reaching office, as party leaders will have greater control over ticket composition rather than relying on direct voter choice for each office.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Governor, Lt. Gov. Run Together
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Joint Governor Ticket Required
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Robin Schimminger
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1234
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, LARKIN, RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the joint nomination of candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 1, 2 and 5 of section 6-104 of the election law are amended to read as follows:
1. Party designation of a candidate for nomination for any office to be filled by the voters of the entire state shall be made by the state committee. Candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall be designated jointly by a single vote of such committee.
2. The state committee shall make a decision by majority vote. The person or persons receiving the majority vote shall be the party's designated candidate or pair of candidates for nomination, and all other persons or pairs of persons who shall have received twenty-five percent or more of the vote cast on any ballot shall have the right to make written demand, duly acknowledged, to the state board of elections that their names appear on the primary ballot as candidates for such nomination. Such demand shall be made not later than seven days after such meeting and may be withdrawn in the same manner within fourteen days after such meeting.
5. Enrolled members of the party may make other designations by petition for [a member] members of the same party. A petition designating a candidate for the office of governor or lieutenant governor shall be valid only if such petition jointly designates candidates for both such offices on such petition.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 7-114 of the election law is amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05235-01-7
S. 1234 2
(e) With respect to candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, ballots shall be printed so that the names of candidates for both offices who were designated jointly shall appear in the same row or column, with the name of the candidate for governor appearing first and the ballot shall be so adjusted that both offices are voted for jointly and have but one designating letter or number.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the joint nomination of candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor
Purpose
:
This bill makes provisions relating to the joint nomination of candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. The bill provides that candidates for governor and lieutenant Governor be designated jointly and run together as a slate in the event of a primary election, as is currently provided for in the general election.
Summary of provisions
:
§ 1- Amends subdivisions 1, 2 and 5 of § 6-104 of the Election Law to provide that candidates for governor and lieutenant governor be designated jointly either by the State Committee or by petition. A designating petition will be valid only if it jointly designates both candidates.
§ 2- Amends subdivision 1 of § 7-114 of the Election Law by adding a new paragraph (e) to reflect that primary ballots shall be printed with the jointly designated candidates for governor and lieutenant governor appearing together on the same row or column and the ballot machines adjusted so that both offices are voted for jointly.
§ 3-Effective date.
Justification
:
In 1953, the State Constitution was amended to provide for the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor, thereby ensuring that both elected officials represented the same political party. However, no statutory amendments were ever made to implement joint nomination which would have assured at least some degree of personal compatibility, and more effective executive use of the lieutenant governor. Subsequent amendments were made to the Election Law that further eroded the impact of joint election by allowing individual primary challenges for all statewide offices.
The present statutory scheme presents the State with the prospect of incompatible candidates running together in the general election and serving in office. Moreover, recent history demonstrates that this prospect is more than a theoretical possibility.
New York State government should not be forced to operate with a second-in-command who is not a full working partner on the executive team. A lieutenant governor can and should play key roles as liaison with those outside the administration, and as a knowledgeable policy advisor and manager inside the administration.
Providing for the joint nomination of the governor and lieutenant governor would cement the executive team concept and ensure a fuller executive utilization of the Lieutenant Governor.
Legislative history
:
2015-16 - S. 2717/A. 4478 - Elections Committee. 2013-14 - S. 2403/A. 2052 - Elections Committee.
Fiscal implications
:
None. EFFECTIVE DATE: :
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.