Voters in Suffolk County can weigh in on two propositions on the ballot this year. The first would change the term of office for county legislators from two to four years. Voters can vote yes or no.
The second proposal would transfer excess money in the county's sewer assessment stabilization reserve fund to the taxpayer trust fund and eliminate the requirement that interfund transfers be made from the general fund to the sewer assessment stabilization fund.
The County Legislature passed a resolution allowing the latter vote in July, having found that the near shutdown of the region's economy because of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a significant shortfall in revenues that threatens the county's financial stability. The sewer assessment stabilization reserve fund ended 2019 with a $35 million balance, and the Legislature found that transferring $15 million of that to the taxpayer trust fund would reduce reliance on property tax revenues while leaving the sewer assessment stabilization reserve fund with sufficient reserves.
Allowing the transfer, the Legislature found, would "authorize general property tax relief with the excess sewer assessment stabilization reserve fund balance."
Another proposition is specific to voters in the Town of Riverhead. There, voters can vote yes or no to increase the town supervisor's term of office from two to four years.
The ballot will include the candidates for elected office at the federal, state, and county levels. President Trump and Vice President Pence will face former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominees, and candidates from the Green, Libertarian, and Independence Parties.
Representative Lee Zeldin, a Republican seeking a fourth term, will face Nancy Goroff, the Democrats' nominee. In State Senate District 1, Laura Ahearn, the Democratic Party nominee, will face Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo. They are seeking to succeed Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, who is retiring.
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., the Democratic and Independence candidate, is being challenged by Heather Collins, a nominee of the Republican and Conservative Parties.
Voters can choose up to eight candidates for Supreme Court justice, and two each for County Court and Family Court judges.
Early voting will be held from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1 at Windmill Village on Accabonac Road in East Hampton. Election Day is Nov. 3.
