Gov. David Paterson has finally decided to call a special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Massa, who resigned on March 9 in the wake of a sexual harrassment scandal.

The special will run concurrent with the November general election, which addresses the cost issue that the governor has been citing as the main reason behind the delay of this decision. The Republicans weren’t buying that argument, and have filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to force the issue.

However, it also means that the Democratic Party leaders will dictate the selection of a candidate, protecting their contender, political newcomer Matt Zeller, from a primary challenge. After some jockeying, the Republicans settled on the candidate who had already announced his intention to challenge Massa, former Corning Mayor Tom Reed.

Whoever wins the special election will take office immediately and won’t have to wait until January 2011 like most of the general election victors.

UPDATE1: A reader writes: “I think the candidates appear twice and are voted for twice – once to finish the current term and then to run for next full term.” An election lawyer informs me that is indeed the case because there are “in effect, two separate elections.”

UPDATE2: As a commenter noted below, the governor has not yet officially called the special election. He will issue the proclamation doing so in October, approximately 30-40 days prior to the Special Election, pursuant to Section 42 of the Public Officers Law.

Paterson’s statement appears in full after the jump.

“Over the past several weeks, I have worked closely with representatives from Western New York to determine the best possible timing to fill a vacancy in the 29th Congressional District,” Governor Paterson said.

“Since the vacancy, Western New Yorkers have been served by a working Congressional office that has and will continue to address their needs.”

“Due to serious concerns over the rollout of new electronic voting machines in several counties within the district, the local financial burden of holding a special election so close to the regular election cycle, as well as the possible disenfranchisement of overseas military voters who would not be able to participate, I will call for a Special Election to be held on November 2, 2010.”

“This will ensure a fair and open election process. I urge all eligible voters to go to the polls in November to select their next Congressional representative, along with their next statewide and local officials.”

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