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 Governor, was: Democrats 2,086,000; Republicans 866,000; Conservatives 828,000; Right to Life 138,000; Liberals 71,000; New Alliance 31,000; Libertarians 25,000; and Socialist Workers 13,000.

22 of the sitting 23 women members of the legislature—State Senators Mary B. Goodhue (Rep.), a lawyer of Mount Kisco; Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (Dem.

Nancy Calhoun (Rep.), of Blooming Grove; Joan Christensen (Dem.

Assemblywoman Helen M. Marshall was elected to the New York City Council.

Thus the 189th Legislature began and ended with 28 women members, setting a new record.

The Legislature met for the first regular session (the 214th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 9, 1991;[1] and recessed indefinitely in the early morning of July 4.

On December 13, 1991, Speaker Mel Miller was convicted of a felony, and thus vacated his seat in the Assembly.

[4] The Legislature met for the second regular session (the 215th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 8, 1992;[5] and recessed indefinitely on July 3.

On June 24, 1992, the U.S. Department of Justice approved the redrawn districts with one exception.