Senator Phillips’ Nassau County Special Districts Election Date Change Legislation Enacted Into Law

Senator Elaine Phillips’ legislation, Senate Bill 5944A, which authorizes any special district in Nassau County to change the commissioners election date for this year, has been signed into law by the Governor as Chapter 151 of the Laws of 2017. The measure was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso.

Under previous law, special districts were required to hold their election for commissioners on the second Tuesday in December, which falls on December 12th in 2017.   This year the first night of Hanukkah is also December 12th.  Senator Phillips’ legislation allows all Nassau County special districts to move the date to December 5th so as not to conflict with the holiday. 

“Numerous districts reached out to me to share concerns that the Special District Commissioner Elections would fall on the first night of Hanukkah this year,” said Senator Phillips.  “By enacting this legislation we are providing residents with the opportunity to exercise their right to vote at a time which does not conflict with their religious observances.”

“After the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District realized the conflict between the date of this year’s special district elections and the first night of Hanukkah, we brought it to the attention of our local officials. The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District is grateful to State Senator Phillips, along with Assemblyman D’Urso, for their quick support and sensitivity to the needs of the Great Neck community by championing the bill into law through the legislative halls of Albany,” said Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Jerry Landsberg.

The measure takes effect immediately.