What Happens If the Mayor Steps Down? Your Guide to NYC’s Rules of Succession and Special Election
Since President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice made the highly unusual move to drop Mayor Eric Adams’ federal corruption charges, calls for Adams’ resignation are mounting. For months, Adams has adamantly denied that he will ever step down, including in the days after the DOJ’s edict. But the decision isn’t completely up to him.
Back up: Has this ever happened before?
Only two New York City mayors have ever resigned: Jimmy Walker in 1932, and William O’Dwyer in 1950. And though both mayors left office due to corruption scandals, neither were ever criminally charged the way Adams has been. However, the New York City Charter — the document outlining all rules for city government — has changed in the last 75 years, and if Adams were to leave office today, it would trigger a new process for replacing him that has never been enacted before.
First: Public Advocate as Acting Mayor
According to the City Charter, when the mayor steps down, the public advocate becomes acting mayor. The current public advocate is Jumaane Williams, who on Feb. 14 said that Adams could no longer keep his job. "He cannot be the mayor of this city and govern this city the way it needs to be governed," he said in an interview on PIX11. If Williams were somehow unable to act as mayor, then Comptroller Brad Lander would be next in line. Lander has been calling for Adams’ resignation since his indictment in September, and is currently running to replace him.
Second: Special Election
Within three days of Adams leaving office, Williams would have to announce a date for a special election to find a more permanent mayor. The special election for a new mayor would be held on the first Tuesday that comes 80 days after the mayor has left office.
Big Asterisk: If Adams Leaves Office Too Late, Williams Would Stay Mayor Until November
If Adams were to leave office within 90 days of June primaries — so, after March 26 — then there is no special election, according to the Charter. In that case, Williams would remain acting mayor until the general election in November. The mayor-elect would then immediately take office, rather than waiting until January 1, 2026 when the mayor is usually sworn in.
What would this mean for the mayoral race?
Even if Adams doesn’t leave office, we’ll be electing a new mayor in September, and they’ll be sworn in next January. But Fuchs reminds readers that that’s almost a year from now. "The truth is, we’re going to have an election very soon, the people of New York will speak," Fuchs said. "But the question is really, can we wait?"
If someone were to replace Adams via a special election, they would be in office until the new mayor elected this November takes their place. Williams, and whoever wins the special election, would still both be eligible to run for mayor in 2025 — which would make the special election an important one to watch, as an incumbent mayor might have a better chance of pulling ahead in next year’s race.
Conclusion
In the event that Mayor Adams steps down, the process for replacing him would be unique and complex. With a special election on the horizon, the city could see a new mayor take office sooner rather than later. But the question remains: can we wait for the people of New York to have their say in November, or should we act quickly to ensure stability in our city government?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if the mayor steps down voluntarily?
- The public advocate becomes acting mayor, and a special election is held to replace the mayor.
- Who is next in line to replace the mayor if they step down involuntarily?
- The public advocate, followed by the comptroller.
- What is the timeline for the special election?
- The special election is held on the first Tuesday that comes 80 days after the mayor leaves office.
- Can the mayor-elect take office immediately if they win in November?
- No, they would take office on January 1, 2026, unless Adams leaves office within 90 days of the June primaries.
