Referred to: The Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee (Chairman Kovacs and Legislators Gavaris, Hansut, Harmon, Kitchen, Levine, and Uchitelle)

Chairman of the Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee, Jason Kovacs, and Deputy Chair Aaron Levine offer the following:

WHEREAS, the term of office of Ulster County Commissioners of the Board of Elections is currently set by New York State Election Law at two years; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Election Law 3-202 states, “The County Legislative body of any other County (other than those of New York City and Schenectady which are set at four years) may determine that the Commissioners of Elections thereafter appointed shall serve for a term of four years;” and

WHEREAS, the Election Commissioners’ Association of the State of New York is currently working with the New York State Legislature to make four-year terms universal throughout New York State; and

WHEREAS, thirty-three (33) upstate New York counties already have four-year terms for Elections Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, the scope and complexity of the position has changed significantly due to the enactment of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the implementation of the Federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE ACT), and the carrying out of Early Voting before each election event, among numerous other recent election reforms; and

WHEREAS, in some years, due to Presidential, Federal and State Local Primaries, and Special Elections, there may be as many as three to four countywide election events in addition to nine days of Early Voting prior to each; and

WHEREAS, it is important and beneficial to municipalities and the voting public that there be full-time professional leadership and a continuity of Board of Elections’ staff with a history of conducting local, state and federal elections in an efficient and knowledgeable manner; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the term of office of an Ulster County Election Commissioner shall be four years beginning January first of each alternate odd numbered year for terms of office commencing on and after January 1, 2025,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:      

Passed Committee: Laws, Rules and Government Services on _____________. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE