Sag Harbor - Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced Assembly introduction of legislation establishing the fourth Tuesday in June as New York's primary election day for both federal and state offices (A.9271-A). Assemblyman Thiele is a co-sponsor of this legislation, which would tie state law to a recent federal court decision setting the primary for federal offices.

"It simply doesn't make sense for local taxpayers to pay an extra $50 million to hold three primary elections and one general election in the same year," said Assemblyman Thiele. "We should be holding both state and federal primaries on the same day. This legislation is a smart, commonsense solution."

The federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act sets forth specific requirements for federal elections to accommodate citizens serving overseas in the military and others who are living abroad. Elections for state office are not subject to the same requirements.

The bill would eliminate the need to hold another primary in a year full of elections - including New York State's presidential primary, already scheduled to be held April 24, Assemblyman Thiele noted.

"We can't underestimate the role that elections play in allowing East End voters an opportunity to be heard," said Assemblyman Thiele. "It is only practical to hold the state primary on the same day as the federal primary, allowing for stronger and more cohesive voter participation."

To accommodate the move to June this year, the bill compresses the political calendar by altering deadlines for designating petition filing dates. The number of signatures required for state legislative and local offices would be reduced accordingly. These adjustments mirror those ordered by the court for federal offices.

The bill's modified calendar would:

 • Move the filing deadline for designating petitions in 2012 to April 16.

 • Reduce the number of designating signatures required for an Assembly seat to 375 (down from 500).

 • Require 750 designating signatures for a Senate seat, a reduction of 250 signatures.

Since the 2009 MOVE Act took effect, New York State's primary for federal office has not been in compliance with federal law - New York's primary date was incompatible with the strictures of the MOVE Act regarding transmission of ballots overseas. New York State was granted a waiver from MOVE Act compliance in 2010, however a similar request was denied for 2012.