NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A507
SPONSOR: Paulin TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 345 of the laws of 2013 relating to authorizing
the Eastchester fire district, in the town of Eastchester, county of
Westchester, to change the date of its annual election, in relation to
following certain provisions of the election law for Eastchester fire
district elections
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To add the annual fire district election for the town of Eastchester to
the general election ballot.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amended chapter 345 of the laws of 2013. Section 1. of chap-
ter 345 is amended to have the procedures of the Eastchester fire
district election governed by the election law and not the town law.
Section 3 of chapter 345 is amended to specify, the number of signatures
required when petitioning. Section 4 of chapter 345 is amended to detail
how vacancies are filled. Section 5 of chapter 345 is created requiring
the fire district to notice the offices to be voted on.at such election.
Section 6 of chapter 345 is the effective date of the original law.
Section two provides for the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The Eastchester fire district commissioners are responsible for the
budget of the fire district. Under town law, the fire district holds
elections for its commissioners in December, resulting in very low voter
turnout. On average less than 5%, of registered voters cast a vote.
Adding the fire district election to the general election ballot will
increase voter participation in the process. In 2013, the law was
amended to hold the election in November at the same time as the general
election. This act amends that law to allow for implementation and for
the fire district election to share the same ballot as the general
election.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.2717 of 2023 and 2024, referred to local governments.
A.5149 of 2021 and 2022, referred to local governments.
A.475 of 2019 and 2020, referred to local governments. A.1133 of 2017
and 2018, referred to ways and means. Same as S.8494 of 2018, referred
to elections.
A.1321 of 2015 and 2016, passed assembly.
A.9819 of 2014, passed assembly.
Same as S.1184.7A referred to elections in 2015 and 2016. Relates to
Chapter 345 Of 2013.
FISCAL IMPLICATION:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of May next. succeeding the date
on which this shall have become law.
