Cayuga County's major political parties plan to put forth candidates to fill the Cayuga County Legislature District 3 seat of Bernard Smith, 67, who died in Syracuse over the weekend.
Candidates may appear on the ballot in November in an election to fill the term expiring in 2010. If Smith was up for election, the ballot slot would be filled by his committee to fill vacancies, a list usually comprised of party leaders and submitted with petitions.
In this case, party leaders will have the option to submit a name for the November ballot until Sept. 20. The petition process will be waived, state Board of Elections spokesman Lee Daghlian said Monday.
County Republicans plan to consult the towns of Montezuma, Mentz and Throop for a candidate, committee Chairwoman Cherl Heary said. With exactly one month to go until the deadline, she didn't anticipate that happening over the next few days or two weeks.
“I think Bernie had excellent leadership ability,” Heary said, noting the first-time legislator will be difficult to replace. “He worked very hard for that seat.”
The county Democratic Committee also plans to put a name on the ballot and will begin canvassing party members in the district for candidates and suggestions, Chairwoman Katie Lacey said.
Other political parties will also have the opportunity to submit names without a petition. Independent candidates will have a window to submit petitions as well.
A special election would require the typical nominating process; however, it would be unusual for the state governor to call for a special ballot this late in the election season, Daghlian said.
The remaining legislators may also appoint someone to serve for District 3 until the end of the year or leave the seat vacant. The candidate who wins the District 3 election in November would serve the final two years of Smith's four-year term that began in 2006.
The county Legislature appointed Jane Bowen to fill a vacancy left by her husband, Edward, who died in July 2001 while representing District 7. That was the last time a legislator died while serving their term.
Current legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Union Springs, was elected to the District 7 seat in the 2001 election.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
In this case, party leaders will have the option to submit a name for the November ballot until Sept. 20. The petition process will be waived, state Board of Elections spokesman Lee Daghlian said Monday.
County Republicans plan to consult the towns of Montezuma, Mentz and Throop for a candidate, committee Chairwoman Cherl Heary said. With exactly one month to go until the deadline, she didn't anticipate that happening over the next few days or two weeks.
“I think Bernie had excellent leadership ability,” Heary said, noting the first-time legislator will be difficult to replace. “He worked very hard for that seat.”
The county Democratic Committee also plans to put a name on the ballot and will begin canvassing party members in the district for candidates and suggestions, Chairwoman Katie Lacey said.
Other political parties will also have the opportunity to submit names without a petition. Independent candidates will have a window to submit petitions as well.
A special election would require the typical nominating process; however, it would be unusual for the state governor to call for a special ballot this late in the election season, Daghlian said.
The remaining legislators may also appoint someone to serve for District 3 until the end of the year or leave the seat vacant. The candidate who wins the District 3 election in November would serve the final two years of Smith's four-year term that began in 2006.
The county Legislature appointed Jane Bowen to fill a vacancy left by her husband, Edward, who died in July 2001 while representing District 7. That was the last time a legislator died while serving their term.
Current legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Union Springs, was elected to the District 7 seat in the 2001 election.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
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