Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1938 and the U.S. Supreme Court decision to follow the One man, one vote rule, re-apportioned in 1971, and amended in 1974, by the legislature, 60 Senators and 150 assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts for two-year terms.

Senate and Assembly districts consisted of approximately the same number of inhabitants, the area being apportioned contiguously without restrictions regarding county boundaries.

The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democrats 2,306,000; Republicans 1,913,000; Conservatives 243,000; Right to Life 130,000; Liberals 123,000; Libertarians 19,000; Socialist Workers 13,000; Communists 11,000; and Labor 9,000.

Seven of the ten women members of the previous legislature were elected again: State Senators Olga A. Méndez (Dem.

The legislature met for the first regular session (the 202nd) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1979;[1] and recessed indefinitely in the early morning of June 17.

[3][4][5] The legislature met for the second regular session (the 203rd) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 9, 1980;[6] and recessed indefinitely on June 15.

[9] This session was called by Governor Carey to consider legislation on banking, the State budget, and housing in New York City.