NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt
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NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt |
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June 29, 2005
Election Reform for Accountability
Local elections and your right to know!
An important aspect of government is accountability. This can only be achieved by an informed and participatory electorate. Even with tremendous technological advances, the majority of Nassau County residents still have no idea what day their local election is held. This lack of information affects the outcome of budget votes, taxes and the level of services. The key word is local election.
"If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be... if we are to guard against ignorance and remain free; it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." Thomas Jefferson
While the majority of New York residents are aware of the general election in November and the school board/budget elections in May, there are separate election days for hundreds of special districts and governmental entities throughout the state. Some examples are fire districts, water districts, sanitation districts, libraries, villages, etc. More often than not, many elections are determined by a small minority of special interest voters instead of the People.
"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781
In order to ensure accountability and promote greater public participation, we would recommend that the New York State Legislature amend state election law to require all special districts and governmental entities to hold elections on the same specified date. We would also recommend that Education law be amended to require all school districts to hold any budget re-vote (for those budgets that fail) on the same specified date unless the legislature eliminates the re-vote requirement.
Another important benefit would be the reduction of costs. From the cost of advertising elections to the use of election personal, we can utilize our resources more efficiently. The savings can offset the need for higher taxes.
“In popular government results worth while can only be achieved by men who combine worthy ideals with practical good sense.” Teddy Roosevelt