New York judge rules Petros Krommidas, missing Democratic candidate, cannot be replaced on ballot

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Philip Marcelo at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.

​A missing political candidate’s name will remain on the November ballot in Nassau County, New York, after a judge ruled that Petros Krommidas, who disappeared during a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean last spring, is still legally considered a missing person rather than deceased.

Some key facts:

• Krommidas, a 29-year-old Democratic candidate and former Ivy League rower, disappeared during a night swim at Long Beach, New York, leaving behind his phone, keys and clothes on the sand.

• A state judge ruled that Krommidas’ name must remain on the November ballot because he is still legally considered a missing person, not officially deceased.

• Under New York law, someone must be missing for at least three years before they can be legally declared dead.

• Two Republican voters successfully sued to prevent Democrats from replacing Krommidas on the ballot with another candidate.

• Democrats are urging voters to cast ballots for Krommidas to trigger a special election where they can field a new candidate against Republican incumbent Patrick Mullaney.

• Similar situations have occurred in Alaska (1972), Nevada (2018) and Pennsylvania (2022), where deceased or missing candidates won elections posthumously.

• Krommidas’ family members have posted on social media asking residents to “honor and vote” for him, describing him as someone who cared deeply about his community.

• The decision has left some Long Beach voters confused and conflicted about whether to vote for a missing candidate or the living Republican incumbent.

READ MORE: A candidate disappeared months ago after an ocean swim. Can he still win?