This is some sort of sick joke:
“Due to serious concerns over the rollout of new electronic voting machines in several counties within the district, the local financial burden of holding a special election so close to the regular election cycle, as well as the possible disenfranchisement of overseas military voters who would not be able to participate, I will call for a special election to be held on November 2, 2010,” Paterson said in a statement.
“This will ensure a fair and open election process. I urge all eligible voters to go to the polls in November to select their next congressional representative, along with their next statewide and local officials.”
Republican Tom Reed and Democrat Matt Zeller are candidates for the seat. Reed and Republicans were pushing for a special election to be held sooner, while Zeller and Democrats were not in a hurry.
Republicans have sued Paterson to compel him to call a special election sooner. The matter is the subject of federal litigation. The parties are due back in court May 25.
Without a special election, New York’s 29th congressional district would go without representation for more than 300 days; under this system, it will go without representation for at least 240 days.
This is not a solution. This is a defense maneuver to benefit Nancy Pelosi.