Recent scrutiny of Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten centers on his office's handling of a 2024 Cornell University sexual assault investigation, which was closed without charges based on limited campus police summaries. Following a September 2026 civil lawsuit and media reports, Van Houten reopened the matter, but Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order removing him from the case and designating Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in early October. Public criticism and calls for resignation have followed, yet no formal removal proceedings, resignation announcement, or other official action has targeted his elected position. With the November 30 deadline weeks away and no scheduled votes or deadlines that would alter his tenure, trader consensus at 74.5% for "No" reflects the absence of concrete steps toward an imminent vacancy.