What happens when the Council District referendum passes?
When a Council District referendum is passed, the following happens according
to NYS Town Code section 342:
- The Suffolk County Board of Elections shall divide the town into districts. (Note:
the Election Board is bipartisan). So far as possible the division shall be so made
that the number of votes in each ward shall be approximately equal. However, no
election district may be divided. For a very detailed ABCO article on
drawing district lines (including the pertinent laws) click here
- The Election Board will then prepare a map of the Town showing in detail the location
of each ward and the boundaries thereof. This original map is filed with the
County Clerk and the Ward system is now considered established.
- Party nominations shall be made, designating petitions filed and one resident
elector of each ward shall be elected as councilperson therefrom for a term of
two years beginning on the first day of January next succeeding such election, at
a biennial (off year) election in the same manner as other elected town officers in
such town. For the NYS Law on the topic click here
then scroll to Section 85.
and began the process for better Brookhaven
Government.
