Giving YOU a voice: term lengths and limits

Leadership of the Onondaga County Legislature have announced their intention to let voters decide how long they’d like the members of the governing body to serve.

 If the local law passes at August Session, both length of term and term limits will be on the ballot this November. Residents will decide if County Legislators should serve 4 years instead of 2, and if they should be limited to three consecutive terms. Currently, there are no terms limits for legislators.

 The local law was introduced at this month’s Ways & Means Committee meeting. 

 “This is about giving voters a choice on a matter that hasn’t been considered by the public in about 40 years,” says Chairman of the Legislature, Timothy Burtis. “We hear from constituents enough to know they want this choice. We have also been working with our Democrat colleagues and hope to have their support in giving residents a say in how they are represented.”

 A 4 year term for legislators will allow them to focus time and attention on the needs of constituents and county governance. Limiting the number of terms will encourage new individuals to seek elective office, while allowing for valuable experience on the Legislature.

 To allow for a vote by the Legislature in time to meet state deadlines, the August Session date and time has been changed to this Friday, August 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.