BILL NUMBER: S1513
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
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 candi-
dates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. The bill
provides that candidates for governor and lieutenant Governor be desig-
nated 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 desig-
nated jointly either by the State Committee or by petition. A designat-
ing petition will be valid only if it jointly designates both candi-
dates.
§ 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 pros-
pect 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 adminis-
tration, and as a knowledgeable policy advisor and manager inside the
administration.
Providing for the joint nomination of the Governor and Lieutenant Gover-
nor would cement the executive team concept and ensure a fuller execu-
tive utilization of the Lieutenant Governor.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22-S. 3819/A. 4766 - Elections Committee.
2019-20-S. 2013/A.3596 - Elections Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.

Statutes affected:
S1513: 7-114 election law, 7-114(1) election law