The Suffolk County Legislature just passed a law calling for a referendum this November to change a legislator’s two-year term to four years.
The measure should be defeated.
First off, we understand the frustration from the legislators over the new law passed by the state that shifts local elections to even-numbered years to coincide with gubernatorial and presidential elections. This was a horrible idea that was prompted by pure politics on behalf of the Democrats throughout the state. They know that Democratic turnout is much higher in the even-numbered years, so they decided to make almost all of our elections in the future on those even-numbered years.
The problem with this is that important local issues and candidates will be drowned out by all the focus being heaped upon the presidential and state elections.
To coordinate the shift from odd- to even-numbered years, it forces town supervisors and legislators who would otherwise run for reelection in 2027 to have to run in 2026 and then again in 2028. That’s on top of their elections this year in 2025. Having three elections in four years is indeed grueling and very unfair. So, legislators, both Democrat and Republican alike, came up with a clever idea of extending their terms from two years to four years. This would allow them to bypass the 2026 election that was forced upon them.
We understand their frustration. But the answer is not to make the legislative body less representative to the public.
It has usually been the case that executives get four year terms. That’s because an executive has to bring in an entire administration. It’s hard to recruit department heads and impressive talent if they know they can be gone in two years.
Plus, political transitions take a great deal of time and they are learning curves involved. Switching administrations every two years can make managing a nightmare. But with legislators and Congress, it’s always been the rule that the two-year term keeps them closer to the people. We want legislators to fear the backlash from the public if they ignore the public will.
Say “NO” to the four-year term!