Relates to town elections and permissive referendums

Title of bill

An act to amend the town law, in relation to town elections and permissive referendums

Purpose of the bill

This bill will require town special elections initiated by a petition to be held at the next general election unless specified and allow town special elections by town board motions to be held on either a general, special or biennial election.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the bill amends subdivision 4 of section 81 of the town law as subdivision 4 is amended by chapter 434 of the laws of 1984 as it relates to providing for the timing of town special elections.

Section two of the bill amends section 91 of the town law as amended by chapter 37 of the laws of 200 as it relates to requiring permissive referendums to be held at the next general election unless specified.

Section three of the bill amends subdivision 2 of section 85 of the town law as it provides that propositions abolishing a ward system shall be held at the next general election.

Section four of the bill is the effective date.

Justification

This bill will require that all ballot referendums initiated by citizen petition are held at the next general election unless the petition state that it be held at a special election. These citizen initiated measures are often contentious and opposed by the current town government. By moving the referendum to November, the election will be conducted by the county Board of Elections instead of the town, saving taxpayer dollars, eliminating the appearance of impropriety and utilizing regular election procedures. It will also increase citizen participation by holding it on a day when other elections are occurring.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications for state

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first day of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become law.