BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two weeks ago, former U.S. Rep. Tom Reed announced his resignation on the U.S. House floor.

He said he started his first day at Prime Policy Group in Washington, D.C., but according to the New York Department of State, Reed has not officially resigned.

"I'm confused," Reed said. "We've been going back and forth, my former chief of staff, via email. We've sent a copy of the letter to their office at the governor and to the Department of State."

The State Department said it has not received a letter from Reed compliant with Public Officers Law. Reed suspected the office may be hyper-technical in order to ensure the special election for his district can occur on Aug. 23, the same day the court system ordered congressional primaries following redistricting.

A new state law requires the governor to call special elections within 10 days of resignation, placing a very narrow window on when those elections can take place.

"[Incoming Lt. Gov. Antonio] Delgado's in the same situation (in NY-18)," Reed said. "We'll just make sure that we do what we need to do in order to have the election of Aug. 23 and that is something I support and equally want to be part of doing."

Reed said he's willing to work with the state, short of post-dating his resignation, as an Aug. 23 special election would help avoid more voter confusion and save boards of election money.

"We've just got to be able to work together, trust each other a little bit that no games are being played," he said. "I'm not playing a game and I'm more than willing to do what's necessary, just deal with it straight up," he said.

County chairs cannot officially nominate for the special election until the governor called it, but Democrat Max Della Pia and Republican Joseph Sempolinski are confident they have party support.

Both are county chairs themselves. Della Pia is a military veteran who ran in a Democratic primary four years ago.

"We need to be represented," he said. "This district needs to have a representative that's actively working in Congress for them and that's what I intend to provide for them."

Sempolinski previously worked in Reed's office.

"I can come in and actually make use of those four months for the people in a way that really nobody else would be able to with the learning curve they'd have to go through."

Sempolinski said if he wins, he plans to step aside for Republican Chris Jacobs, who is currently representing New York's 27th District but who lives in the new 23rd. Della Pia said he plans to run in the general election regardless.

Reed announced last year he would not run for another term after a former lobbyist accused him of sexual harassment. He admitted to struggling with drinking and issued an apology to the accuser.