What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit currently elected state or federal officials from running for another office without first resigning.
Why it matters
Prevents elected officials from seeking other offices while still serving. this aims to ensure officials are fully focused on their current role rather than campaigning for another job, potentially increasing their accountability and commitment to constituents.
Could reshape political career paths. by forcing politicians to choose between finishing a term and pursuing higher (or different) office, which may reduce the prevalence of “career politicians” moving rapidly from one position to another without fully completing their duties.
Might impact election dynamics and succession planning. by creating more frequent mid-term vacancies (due to required resignations), which could lead to more special elections or appointments, possibly increasing costs and altering the timing and competitiveness of races.
Addresses potential conflicts of interest and public trust issues. by eliminating situations where officials use their current office as a platform for higher office campaigns, potentially reducing perceived or real abuses of power or resources for personal political gain.
Albany, before your first meeting.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Dual Office Campaigns
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to election law
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5489
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to the constitution, in relation to eligibility to run for public office
Section 1. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That the constitution be amended by adding a new article XX to read as follows:
ARTICLE XX
RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
Section 1. No currently elected state official may run for any office of the state or federal government concurrently and no currently elected federal official may run for any office of the state concurrently. Where a currently elected public official resigns his or her official position, such individual may thereafter run for another state or federal official position. For purposes of this section the terms "office of the state or federal government" and "official position" shall include, but shall not be limited to: the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, attorney general, members of the state legislature, members of the United States congress, state and federal officers, the president, and vice president.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89106-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.