Imposing term limits of three consecutive terms and changing County Legislator terms from two to four years, effective the first general election for Legislators held after January 1, 2026.
Here are the pros and cons we have been hearing and discussing at the State & Local Action Team meetings:
Vote Yes
- It imposes a term limit of 12 years starting with elections held after 2026. Currently there are no term limits.
- Term limits encourage new voices to run for office.
- 4 year terms means legislators can spend less time fundraising and more time serving you.
Vote No
- 12 year term limits are not retroactive meaning a current legislator who has already served 12 years can serve another 12 years.
- 12 years is too long. The City of Syracuse term limits are 8 years.
- Term limits are only for county legislators and not on any other elected position. Onondaga County’s District Attorney has been in office for 32 years!
- 4 year terms means legislators will be less responsive to constituents.
- Having legislators with a lot of experience in county government is a good thing.
- 2 year terms keep legislators more accountable to voters.
- 4 years terms starting in 2026 will line up with midterm elections, but skip the presidential election when turnout is higher.
Additional Information
Fine… Let’s talk term limits, and 4 year terms. – County Legislator Brown
Term limits, longer terms will make Onondaga County government worse (Your Letters) – Syracuse.com
Vote ‘no’ on Onondaga County Proposition One – LTE
Editorial endorsements: Vote ‘yes’ on Adirondack Park, county leg term limit propositions – Syracuse Editorial Board “We support the changes despite reservations about doubling the term of office.”
Term Limits – UniteNY
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