Copyright syracuse.com
Martin Babinec, of Little Falls, is founder and board member of Unite NY and a former candidate for New York’s 22nd Congressional District. This November, Onondaga County residents have an opportunity to strengthen accountability and restore trust in their local government by encouraging more candidates for elected office. On the back of your ballot is a referendum to install term limits on county legislators. If approved, the ballot measure would make two changes to the county charter and code: It would extend terms for county legislators from two to four years; and limit service to three consecutive terms, or 12 years total. Across America,term limits are already the norm.Governors in 37 states face limits on their service, as do mayors innine of the 10 largest cities, including New York City, and legislators in16 states. But in New York, the application of term limits is, at best, uneven. Statewide elected officials, state legislators and even local elected officials can run for office indefinitely. And they do! Recently retired Assemblymember Richard Gottfried served in that role for 52 years, the recently retired mayor of Upstate’s Lake George also served 52 years (and was the longest-tenured mayor in the country), and John Marchi, a state senator, served 49 years. The list goes on and on. This lack of limits on terms discourages new thinking, new ideas and leaves New Yorkers with fewer choices at the ballot box. The November term limit proposal corrects those problems in two ways. First, increasing terms from two to four years means legislators can focus on governing instead of campaigning. Two-year terms force lawmakers to spend too much of their time preparing for the next election — campaigning and fundraising rather than addressing the county’s most important issues. Extending terms to four years gives officials the time to address big, long-term issues and implement solutions without needing to constantly campaign. Second, term limits ensure no elected official holds power for too long. By setting a maximum of three terms, or 12 years total, Onondaga County gives an opportunity to new candidates, fresh perspectives and more choices at the ballot box. It’s a bulwark against the rise of “career politicians” who so often lose touch with their electorate. And, term limits have overwhelming support across our state.According to the September 2025 release of Unite NY’s Voter Empowerment Index, 84% of New Yorkers favor term limits. This support cuts across all categories: party lines, age, geography, and many more. Voters of all stripes agree: Our democracy works best when elected officials are accountable and citizens have real choices. As a first-generation American and an entrepreneur who built a business from scratch, I spent most of my career outside politics. But, in 2016, I ran as an independent candidate for Congress here in Central New York. I saw firsthand how the political machine works to protect insiders and shut out new voices. The experience inspired me tofound Unite NY, a nonpartisan, nonprofit dedicated to reforming elections and strengthening democracy in our state. Term limits are one of Unite NY’s Five Pillars of Reform, which also include ranked choice voting, citizen ballot initiatives, open primaries and better ballot access. These reforms together would give citizens more choices, ensure accountability, and make our government more responsive to the people it serves. All too often, state and local governments in New York preserve the status quo and serve those in power rather than those they are supposed to represent. But our politics don’t have to be that way. Onondaga County legislators have proven by taking this bold, bipartisan step to bring term limits to the county legislature, they are committed to improving our democracy and a better path forward. By voting “yes” on term limits this November, Onondaga County residents can choose this different, better path. Term limits are not a cure-all, but they are one pathway to new leadership and new solutions. By voting “yes,” Onondaga County can send a powerful message across the state: It’s time for accountability, fresh leadership, and a government which serves the people first.
