On November 5th, Westchester County voters won’t just consider who to elect for President and other offices–they will also decide the outcome of a ballot referendum on term lengths for county legislators. The Westchester County Board of Legislators has proposed extending the length of their terms in office from the current two years to four years. If the proposition passes, the new term length will take effect starting January 1st, 2025.
The referendum will appear on ballots as the following:
Statement Form for Westchester County Proposition No. 2024-1
- Should individuals serving in the position of Westchester County Legislator serve four-year terms instead of two-year terms?
If the proposition is approved by voters, legislators will run in 2025 and 2028. The 12-year term limits for legislators would remain the same, meaning legislators would be elected for up to three four-year terms. If the proposition does not pass, elections for legislators will occur in 2025, then possibly again in 2026 to accommodate New York’s new even-year election schedule, although a recent ruling by a judge has thrown that schedule into doubt.
The proposition was cosponsored by Conservative Minority Leader Margaret Cunzio, who represents Pleasantville, and Democratic Legislator Benjamin Boykin. In a video posted on the Westchester County Board of Legislators’ YouTube channel, Boykin said, “The law proposes extending the term length for Westchester County Legislators from two years to four years. This change will streamline our operations, and align us with neighboring counties.”
Cunzio echoed that “by moving to four-year terms, we’ll reduce the frequency of elections, cut down on costs, and minimize disruptions. This will allow us to focus on crafting and implementing effective legislation.”
Legislators also content extending their terms would reduce costs for taxpayers and candidates, and reduce the burden of administering elections. Cunzio said the proposal has tripartisan support, approved unanimously by Republican, Democratic, and Conservative members of the Board of Legislators Board at a meeting in July.
In a press release on the Westchester Legislators website, Chairman Vedat Gashi (D-New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “I’ve spoken to voters throughout the county from Yorktown to Yonkers, and they’ve all told me the same thing – they want us to focus on policy, not politics – and this proposal allows us to do that.”
A Yonkers Times opinion article presents some counterarguments. In that article, Yonkers resident Debbie Kozak argued shorter terms for politicians keep them accountable, and more in line with their constituents’ needs. She also questioned how much money taxpayers would actually save.
“SIMPLE TRUTH 2: Prop Two does not benefit the citizen-taxpayers, it benefits politicians,” Kozak wrote. “Were they truly interested in decreasing expenditures, they could propose doubling the size of their constituency, cutting their number by half, and/or limiting total service to eight years.”
The proposed term length of four years is on par with neighboring Rockland County, whose legislators serve four-year terms. Putnam County is also considering lengthening terms from three years to four, to accommodate for New York’s new even-year voting law. Additionally, on September 12th, Putnam County’s Legislature’s Rules Committee proposed amending term limits. Local town and village boards have similar term lengths, The Mount Pleasant Town Board has a term length of four years, and the Pleasantville Board of Trustees has three-year terms. Members of New York’s State Assembly, however, are elected for two-year terms, with elections every even year.
I agree that longer terms would better allow them to develop expertise, implement their ideas/plans, however I don’t think they do a very good job currently of letting residents know exactly what they do, and soliciting input from voters of what voters want and of explaining the role and powers of the Country government. I’m not implying they don’t work hard and do good work, but, most people (even very politically conscious people) don’t know almost anything about County government. And the 2-years elections are one of the rare times the legislators seriously attempt to outreach to voters (again, not that they don’t do many wonderful events at other times). If you have a performance review at your job every 2 years, and then they change it to every 4 years, that’s definitely going to change your behavior over time. I just worry this would lessen incentive to reach out. And it prevents people who want to run from office, like women, minorities, and people with new ideas from running from as much opportunity to run as they do now. I’ve thought carefully about this, and I’m voting NO on Prop 2.
Supporting Prop 2 goes against most of what political science, and the framers of our government believe promotes a healthy democracy and accountability with voters. Executives should have 4 years, but legislators should be more connected to the passions of the people. Why do you think 4 years is appropriate? If the ability to “get things accomplished” and “saving money” is the criteria we should be considering most, why stop at 4 years? You could get more done and save more campaign money if you have 5 years (like Putin and Erdogan)? Why stop at 5? How about 10 years? Also, the argument that this is somehow a ‘campaign finance” reform issue, and that it would save expenses from running elections is disingenuous. County elections are going to be held in the same year as other going forward, so there will not be an additional expense from them as in years past.
Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Monroe, Eerie, Ulster, Dutchess, Onondaga, Yates, Jefferson, and more are just some of the majority of County legislatures in NY State that have 2-year terms for legislators. This is pretty normal, especially for large counties. Westchester (population) is the 4th largest county in the state, and one of the top 50 largest counties in the country, and growing fast. We are bigger in population than several states. Our county budget last year was $2.4 billion. Nearly one-third of our property taxes go to paying the County portion of our tax bill. The County legislators have a lot of power over aspects of our lives that most people (including me) are barely aware of. From a good-governance and good-democracy perspective, we should want legislators who remain accountable and responsive. Elections are the primary way that happens in a democracy. There is no argument I’ve heard to the contrary. I’ve got an honors degree in Political Science, and worked for major Democracy and Civil Rights non-profits (Brennan Center for Justice; Center for Constitutional Rights) I can assure you it would be hard to find any scholar who studies democracy that would disagree with what I am saying. They would describe this as incumbents attempting to entrench their power.
I would love for supporters of this proposition to explain to me why Country Legislators need twice as much time to legislate as congressional Representatives, NY State Assembly-members, and Senators have?
Hey, if I were an elected official, I too, would possibly be in favor of this Proposition, because it gives me 100 percent more job security and I would only have to worry about a potential challenger half the time. Basic political science. People like to keep and protect their jobs. Just a fact of being human.
Also, the argument that this is somehow a ‘campaign finance” reform issue, and that it would save expenses from running elections is disingenuous. County elections are going to be held in the same year as other going forward, so there will not be an additional expense from them as in years past.
What are some things that legislators have been unable to accomplish because of the current 2 year terms that they believe would have happened if only they had 4 years, and didn’t have to campaign?
Sorry, but campaigning is part of the job, and major part of what keeps elected officials accountable.
I’m not writing this to troll. I am genuinely persuadable if someone could answer any of the questions I have. I believe the onus is on the legislators proposing this change to make the case, beyond the basic, easily refuted arguments they’ve made (and why did they only put this on the ballot about a month away from the election? That’s not good governance. People should have time to debate this and be more informed.)
If people think voting/elections are an annoying inconvenience, that are too expensive, I think you’re going to love what Donald Trump has planned for us!