Term limits for comptroller, county executive await approval for midterms
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Onondaga County legislators unanimously voted to put two term limit options on November’s ballot on Tuesday, syracuse.com reported. The limits, for county comptroller and county executive, now await approval or veto from Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon.
In July, McMahon mistakenly approved a law imposing term limits on the position, which he currently holds, after announcing his plan to veto it. His office attempted to send the veto to the legislature clerk, but it was too late and the clerk had already sent the approval to the Board of Elections.
The two options that will appear on November’s ballot are:
- Three terms of four years, or 12 years total
- Four terms of four years, or 16 years total
If McMahon approves the law, it’s likely to become one of the first dueling ballot measures in New York state, as whichever proposal gets more votes becomes law, syracuse.com reported.
Republican Election Commissioner Kevin Ryan refused to put the options on the ballot, and in turn, Democrat Dustin Czarny sued. Onondaga County Legislature Chairwoman Nicole Watts told syracuse.com that McMahon planned to file a lawsuit against the county legislature as well.
In order to avoid spending taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, the deal was made, syracuse.com reported. If passed, voters will choose between a three-year term limit and a four-year term limit on Nov. 3.
