New York will soon hold a special election to fill the vacant U.S. House seat, 20th district (Hudson Valley).
Qualified parties choose nominees in special elections by party meeting. The Republican and Conservative Parties have already nominated Jim Tedisco. The Democratic and Working Families Parties have already nominated Scott Murphy. The Independence Party state committee will nominate someone on February 22, but that party is expected to cross-endorse either the Democrat, or the Republican, or else have no candidate at all.
Only one petitioning candidate is likely to qualify. He is Eric Sundwall of the Libertarian Party. He will need 3,500 valid signatures, to be gathered in only 12 days. His petitioning period will probably start on February 23, although that is not completely certain. The date of the special election is also not yet formally determined.
I live just across the river from this district, in Albany. Can I collect signatures?
As a member of the Independence Party, I hope the select State Committee which may decide on an endorsement for the 20th District, will choose someone the conservative leaning members of the Party across the state will be able to respect – and that they will be transparent about the values of the Party which guided their cecision.
Jack Grogan,
Any adult who lives in New York state can collect signatures for an independent (or the nominee of an unqualified party) for district office. The New York law that formerly required people to live in the district was declared unconstitutional in Chou v NY State Bd of Elections, 332 F.2d 510, a Green Party case.
Any registered voter in the state may collect signatures for a prospective candidate.
The signatures on these nominating petitions must be of registered voters in the Congressional District where the race is to be held.
With that said, I will be out at midnight, February 22, 2009 waiting for the clock to tell me when it is the 23rd – at which time, I will be collecting signatures for Eric Sundwall.
Eric Sundwall is far and away the best candidate we have had running in this District for over 30 years. There is a lot of enthusiasm for Eric in this race. I know he will make it onto the ballot and with an expected low turnout, he could win.
Best,
Morris Guller
Lexington, New York