Republican Ballot

It's the top of the line for Republicans for the next few years. Governor George Pataki's resounding win over Democrat Peter Vallone means the Republican Party will take over Row A on the New York state ballot for at least the next four years. Democrats have held the top spot since 1974. Party ballot position in New York is determined each four years based on the results of the governor's race. In 1994, Democrats kept the top spot on the ballot even though Pataki beat Mario Cuomo. That was because Cuomo polled more votes on the Democratic line than Pataki did on the GOP slot. The Republican won on the strength of his vote on the Conservative Party line.