Even though the deadlines for petitions to appear on this November’s ballot have passed, the position of fourth ward alderman in the City of Amsterdam, which is currently vacant due to the resignation of Rodney Wojnar on August 20, will be up for a vote, according to the Montgomery County board of elections commissioners. According to New York State election laws, any vacancy that occurs before September 20 must be filled at the next general election. If the vacancy occurs after a week before the last day for circulating designating petitions, which was July 12, then each county party committee is allowed to nominate a candidate for the ballot by a majority vote.
According to Montgomery County Republican Party Committee Chair Rosemary Smith, nominating a candidate is on the agenda for a Republican party meeting scheduled for September 18.
During a common council committee meeting on Tuesday, Alderman Jim Martuscello, a Democrat, said that the Montgomery County Democratic committee will meet on September 17 to recommend a person to fill the vacancy until the end of the year, and to choose a candidate for the ballot. The common council will vote on whether to approve the party recommendation. According to the City of Amsterdam charter, the council must appoint a person of the same party affiliation as Wojnar, who was a member of the Democratic party.
Both Martuscello and Alderman Art Iannuzzi, also Democrat, said that they would like to see the committee choose the same person for the appointment and to appear on November’s ballot.
In addition to the fourth ward position, common council seats in the first and third wards will also be up for a vote.
