U.S. Rep. Tom Reed’s sudden resignation this week means a special election will be held to fill the congressman’s seat, likely in late July or early August.
Reed, a Corning Republican who represented New York’s 23rd Congressional District, announced his resignation effective immediately on the House floor Tuesday, May 10. The New York State Board of Elections said Governor Kathy Hochul has 10 days from the date of Reed’s resignation to issue a proclamation for a special election.
Related: Congressman Tom Reed announces retirement, effective immediately
Gov. Hochul will decide special election date
Had Reed chosen to resign after July 1, a special election would not have been necessary and the seat would have remained vacant until January 2023.
The date of the special election depends on when Gov. Hochul issues the proclamation. A special election cannot take place earlier than 70 days after Hochul’s proclamation or later than 80 days from the date of the governor’s order.
“We have not yet received the Congressman’s resignation but when we do the Governor will call a special election as required by law,” said Matt Janiszewski, an upstate press secretary for Hochul, according to The Evening Tribune.
Related: Tom Reed hosts farewell town hall events across Finger Lakes
If a special election for the 23rd district occurs in August, it would coincide with the congressional and state primaries set for August 23. Those primaries were originally set for June before the Court of Appeals ruled redistricting maps drawn by the state Legislature unconstitutional. A court-appointed special master is currently drawing up new election maps.
Related: Congressional primaries delayed from June to August as maps get redrawn
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