File #: Res 1232-2008    Version: * Name: Require that a person seeking municipal elective office in NYC be a resident of the political subdivision in which he/she is seeking election at least one year immediately preceding the election.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Governmental Operations
On agenda: 1/30/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to amend New York State Public Officers Law to require that a person seeking municipal elective office in the City of New York be a resident of the political subdivision in which he/she is seeking election at least one year immediately preceding the election.
Sponsors: Kendall Stewart, Tony Avella, James Vacca
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Testimony, 3. Hearing Transcript
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2009*Kendall Stewart City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/25/2008*Kendall Stewart Committee on Governmental Operations Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/25/2008*Kendall Stewart Committee on Governmental Operations Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
1/30/2008*Kendall Stewart City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
1/30/2008*Kendall Stewart City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1232

 

Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to amend New York State Public Officers Law to require that a person seeking municipal elective office in the City of New York be a resident of the political subdivision in which he/she is seeking election at least one year immediately preceding the election.

 

By Council Members Stewart, Avella and Vacca

 

Whereas, New York State Public Officers Law section 3 outlines the qualifications for holding a civil office in the State of New York (State); and

Whereas, With respect to a municipal office, Public Officers Law section 3 requires a person seeking office to reside within the political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state no later than the time he/she shall be chosen for such municipal office; and

                     Whereas, In addition, the State Constitution requires a candidate for the office of Governor or member of the State Legislature (Legislature) to reside in the State for a five-year period immediately preceding his/her election;

Whereas, The State Constitution also requires a candidate for the Legislature to be a resident of the respective assembly or senate district for at least twelve months immediately preceding his/her election; and

Whereas, There is no similar one-year or five-year residency requirement for those seeking municipal office in New York City (City); and

Whereas, Similar to the residency requirements applicable to a candidate for the Governor and the Legislature, it is in the best interest of the public and the person seeking City municipal office that there be a one-year residency requirement; and

Whereas, A one-year residency requirement for those seeking municipal office in the City is sound public policy because it would provide the candidate with an opportunity to familiarize him/herself with the specific issues relevant to the political subdivision which he/she is seeking to represent; and

Whereas, Further, a one-year residency requirement would also ensure that the constituents in the respective district have ample time to become acquainted with the candidate seeking to represent them; and

Whereas, Finally, a one-year residency requirement would ensure that only a serious candidate, who has a personal stake in the community he/she is seeking to represent, would seek such municipal office; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Legislature of the State of New York to amend New York State Public Officers Law to require that a person seeking municipal elective office in the City of New York be a resident of the political subdivision in which he/she is seeking election at least one year immediately preceding the election.

DG

LS #2700

1/24/08