The State Board of Elections has four commissioners, all appointed by the Governor of New York: For the first two seats, the chairs of the two major political parties each submits a list of two or more recommended candidates, from which the governor appoints one commissioner. For the remaining two seats, each major political party's state legislative leadership submits a recommended candidate, which the governor appoints as commissioner; but if the governor declines or rejects appointing that candidate to a vacancy, the legislative leadership can either appoint the recommended candidate directly, or recommend another person to the governor instead.[2]

In addition to the State Board of Elections, there is also a 2-member or 4-member board of election in each county, except for the five counties covered by the single, 10-memeber New York City Board of Elections.[4] from Wikipedia entry on New York State Board of Elections