New York Moves Primary
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Seeking to avoid any conflict with ceremonies honoring those who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Governor Spitzer said Wednesday he approved legislation shifting New York’s state primary this year to Sept. 18.
Under provisions of state law, the primary had been scheduled for Sept. 11.
The New York state primary was already under way on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists flew two jetliners into the World Trade Center towers. The primary election was suspended and held two weeks later.
The measure to change this year’s primary date had been sponsored in the state Senate by Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and in the state Assembly by Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Manhattan Democrat whose district includes ground zero.
“It is critically important that we reserve Sept. 11 as a day when the world looks back and remembers the many heroes who lost their lives,” Mr. Bruno had said on May 7 as the Senate unanimously approved the legislation.
The measure was approved in the Democratic-controlled Assembly on May 21 on a 136-9 vote.
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, a Kingston Democrat who voted against postponing this year’s primary, said he felt lives were saved in 2001 because the primary was being held and some people weren’t at work.
“I thought it would be a more fitting memorial to have primary day on Sept. 11,” said Mr. Cahill.
Other Assembly Democrats voting against the change included Deborah Glick of Manhattan, Diane Gordon of Brooklyn, Richard Gottfried of Manhattan, Linda Rosenthal of Manhattan and Albert Stripe of Syracuse. Assembly Republicans Marcus Molinaro of Dutchess County, Tom O’Mara of Elmira and Jack Quinn of Erie County also voted against the measure.
Mr. Quinn said Wednesday that he felt having the primary on Sept. 11 would be a special way of honoring the victims of the attacks and the Americans who have since fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“There is nothing more American than the idea of being able to vote,” the Buffalo-area lawmaker said.
“It’s a day we’ll never forget for the gruesome things that happened,” Mr. Quinn said. “At the same time, it’s a day we stood together as Americans.”
