In the News: Onondaga County can lead on democracy reform
Martin Babinec
Our founder and board member, Martin Babinec, wrote an op-ed in Syracuse.com about term limits, one of Unite NY’s Five Pillars of Reform, which will appear on the ballot this November for Onondaga County voters.
“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 to found 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, that they are committed to improving our democracy and creating a better path forward.
By voting ‘yes’ on term limits this November, Onondaga County residents can choose this different, better path.”
