New York Democrats Push to Delay Special Election for Elise Stefanik’s House Seat, Sparking Controversy

New York Democrats are working on legislation that could delay the special election for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s House seat until the summer, potentially leaving the seat vacant for months. This move comes as Stefanik is set to resign if confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater has criticized the effort, calling it politically motivated and pointing out that it could impact representation for nearly 800,000 New Yorkers. While state Democrats claim the legislation is aimed at increasing voter turnout and reducing election costs, critics argue it could be a strategy to weaken Republican control in Congress.