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How New York's impeachment process works

Aug 05, 2021 6:30 am

The Associated Press reports that a majority of New York's Assembly members now support impeachment proceedings against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he doesn’t resign over investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women. So LoHud.com rounds up all the details about how impeachment works in the state. First, 76 of the 150 members of the state Assembly must vote for impeachment, according to the New York State Constitution. The Associated Press reports that 82 members would now vote for impeachment. That would make Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul governor in an acting capacity until the impeachment process ends. An impeachment court would then be formed from members of the Senate and the seven members of the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court. All seven of those Court of Appeals members were appointed by Cuomo. Hochul and temporary Senate president Andrea Stewart-Cousins would not be involved, as they are in the line of succession. Cuomo would get at least 20 days notice before he appears before the court. Then it takes a majority vote from this Senate court in favor of the impeachment for the trial to proceed. After the trial, two-thirds of this Senate impeachment court, or 46 of the 69 members, would have to vote to remove Cuomo, and the court would also vote on whether he could run for office again. Then, if removed, Hochul would remain as governor until Cuomo's term ends in 2022. Read more about this story at LoHud.com.