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 1982 by the Legislature, 61 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 U.S. president, was: Republicans 3,377,000; Democrats 3,120,000; Conservatives 288,000; Liberals 118,000; Libertarians 12,000; Communists 4,000; New Alliance 3,000; and Workers World 2,000.

Twenty of the 23 women members of the previous legislature—State Senators Mary B. Goodhue (Rep.), a lawyer of Mount Kisco; and Olga A. Méndez (Dem.

), of Staten Island; Pinny Cooke (Rep.), of Rochester; Geraldine L. Daniels (Dem.

), a lawyer of Hempstead; Toni Rettaliata (Rep.), of Huntington; Louise M. Slaughter (Dem.

The Legislature met for the first regular session (the 208th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 9, 1985;[1] and recessed indefinitely on June 30.

[3] This session was called by Governor Cuomo to consider legislation concerning malpractice insurance rates; the sale of all State holdings in companies which do business in South Africa; the time limit for suits in cases of harm by toxic substances; hostile corporate takeovers; low-income housing in New York City; and municipal liability insurance rates.

[4] The Legislature met for the second regular session (the 209th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 8, 1986;[5] and recessed indefinitely on July 3.

[8] This session was called by Governor Cuomo to consider legislation concerning the creation of 23 judgeships in New York City; the financing of the mass transit system in New York City; a revision of the State's tax system; and subsidies for elderly people to buy prescription drugs.