By Kevin McCaffrey
I recently led the Suffolk County Legislature in the historic passing of the Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025. I sponsored the Act proactively to protect local governance and taxpayer interests from Albany’s recently imposed election disruption — the “Even-Year Elections” law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023.
My Term Limit Preservation Act passed without opposition, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has since signed the measure into law. It is now up to you – the residents of Suffolk County – to vote on the Act as a referendum during the November general election.
Due to Governor Hochul’s “Even-Year Elections” law, all 18 legislators elected or re-elected on this coming November’s ballot would face shortened terms, mid-term resignations, and potential special elections. At present, the County Charter outlines an election process in which all 18 seats on the Suffolk County Legislature are at stake every odd year. Under the “Even-Year Elections” law signed by Governor Hochul, County Legislators elected in 2025 would be forced to run again in 2026 and again in 2028 – and in doing so be denied the second year of the term for which they were elected to serve in 2025. Moreover, that’s three costly elections in four years!
The potential disruption by the “Even-Year Elections” law is undeniable, particularly here in Suffolk County. The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025 amends the County Charter to ensure that the County’s voter-approved 12-year term limit remains intact and ensures that:
- Term limits remain enforceable and protected.
- Terms shift from two to four years, eliminating three elections in four years.
- Legislators may complete a full term, even if their 12th year of service occurs during that term.
Let me be clear, I am an advocate for term limits. When I was elected the Legislature’s Presiding Officer in 2022 by the new Republican Majority, one of our first actions was to close a loophole in the law and cap total service at 12 years. The resulting referendum was overwhelmingly approved by 85.9% of voters — 449,605 votes.
Term limits are also favored by the national electorate, as evidenced generally by public opinion surveys, and by the Suffolk electorate specifically as evidenced by voter approval in multiple referendums. Further, I firmly believe that term limits have proved successful, especially in Suffolk County. Our Legislature boasts members who bring real-world experience from all walks of life to their public service, including lawyers, teachers, doctors, small business owners, first responders, farmers, civic leaders, and labor leaders.
Ultimately, term limits give voters more, not less, choices at the ballot box. Elections are not always dominated by incumbents. Term Limits mitigate the advantages of incumbency and allow for new, emerging leaders to run for office.
The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025, set for a ballot referendum this November, is a direct continuation of the Republican commitment to citizen-led government and strong term limits. The Act also ensures that Suffolk’s voter-approved term limits system remains in place and aligned with the new Democrat-imposed election schedule—without undermining its arguable intent to gain greater voter involvement based on increased turnout in even years.
I firmly believe that moving local elections from their historic odd-year November schedule to even years will overwhelm voters and bury important local issues under the static and noise of national elections.
Although 2025 represents my last year on the Legislature due to our 12-year term limit system, I proudly introduced the Act and will wholeheartedly support efforts to prevent Albany-style dysfunction from taking root in Suffolk County.
With the approval of Suffolk voters in November, term limits will be preserved, and we will avoid forced mid-term resignations, costly special elections, and interrupted service and instability in local government leadership.
As the Suffolk County Legislature’s Presiding Officer, Legislator Kevin J. McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) represents Suffolk County’s 14th Legislative District, which encompasses the Villages of Lindenhurst and Babylon, West Babylon, portions of Copiague and North Lindenhurst, and Babylon’s barrier beach communities.