By Hank Russell
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine signed into law on July 25 a bill that preserves term limits for legislators while preventing county elections from being moved into even-numbered years.
McCaffrey and Romaine said this is a landmark initiative that lets voters safeguard both local governance and taxpayer resources. They were joined by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle as the signing will move the issue forward to an Election Day ballot referendum for voter approval this November.
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, On June 25, legislators passed The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025. Under the Act, legislators may complete a full term, even if their 12th year of service occurs during that term; terms shift from two to four years, eliminating three elections in four years and term limits remain enforceable and protected.
McCaffrey noted Suffolk voters overwhelmingly backed term limits in a 1993 referendum, LILP previously reported. In 2021, Republicans closed a loophole exploited by Democrats, capping service at 12 years. In 2022, voters reaffirmed the reform with 85.9% approval.
The Act was in response to the Even Year Election Law that was passed in 2023 by Governor Kathy Hochul and allows for certain local elections held outside of New York City to be held on election day in November in even-numbered years.
Without this legislation, all 18 legislators elected or re-elected in 2025 would face shortened terms, midterm resignations, and potential special elections, McCaffrey said.
“Governor Hochul’s election law is a blatant power grab by our Democrat-controlled state government,” said McCaffrey. “Today, we have provided Suffolk’s voters the opportunity to affirm their belief in term limits and protect local elections.”
“I’m proud to support the legislature and the Term Limit Preservation Act. This important measure ensures that our elected leaders can remain focused on serving the people and tackling the real challenges facing our communities,” Romaine said.