A second primary may take a toll on New York taxpayers to the tune of millions
New York State (WRGB) — Political maneuvering is always pricey, but this year it could really take a toll on New York taxpayers.
The NYS Court of Appeals ruled Democrats in the state legislature violated the NYS constitution when they created new congressional and senate districts -- the process is called gerrymandering, and those new districts were drawn to favor Democrats and give them a chance to pick up more seats in November. New York Republicans have done the same thing in the past.
While nothing's definite, it appears that the June 28th congressional and state senate primary in NY will be pushed off to August so there is time to redraw the maps. The primary for assembly and statewide offices like Governor would stay in June.
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If that's the case, New York would have two primaries -- and by one legislative estimate that could cost New York taxpayers an additional 25 million dollars.
Schoharie County elections commissioner Cliff Hay told us this about two separate primaries not too long ago – "What you have to do is get a hold of your senators and assemblymen and say dammit, there's no reason to have two primaries, have one primary and save the taxpayers a lot of money."
Governor Kathy Hochul reaffirmed Monday that she thinks there will be two primary days, but nothing is final yet.
