The Suffolk County Legislature overwhelmingly approved the Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025, a proactive measure to protect local governance and taxpayer interests from Albany’s recently imposed election changes.

The Act, sponsored by presiding officer Kevin J. McCaffrey, amends the county charter to extend legislator terms from two to four years, ensuring the county’s voter-approved 12-year term limit remains intact—despite the state’s “Even-Year Elections” law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2023.

“Gov. Hochul’s election law is a blatant power grab by our Democrat-controlled state government,” said McCaffrey. “Today, Suffolk’s Republican majority acted to protect the will of our voters, preserve local control, and prevent chaos and cost.”

Without this legislation, all 18 legislators elected or re-elected in 2025 would face shortened terms, mid-term resignations, and potential special elections. The Act ensures:

Legislators may complete a full term, even if their 12th year of service occurs during that term.

Terms shift from two to four years, eliminating three elections in four years.

Term limits remain enforceable and protected.

McCaffrey noted Suffolk voters overwhelmingly backed term limits in a 1993 referendum. In 2021, Republicans closed a loophole exploited by Democrats, capping service at 12 years. In 2022, voters reaffirmed the reform with 85.9 percent approval (449,605 votes).

The Republican majority also announced plans to challenge the Even-Year Elections law in state and federal court, citing voter suppression and constitutional concerns.

“This law protects the integrity of our government and honors the will of the people,” McCaffrey said. “We will not allow Albany to undo decades of common-sense reform.”

Link to The Term Limit Preservation Act of 2025:

https://www.scnylegislature.us/DocumentCenter/View/122580/Introductory-Resolution-1486-25-PDF