Commissioners from the Hicksville Water District, as well as the Bethpage Water District, announced last week that they are seeking to officially change the date of their elections to coincide with other special district elections. Proposed by Senator Craig M. Johnson through Bill S7527, the change requires approval from New York State and the Towns of Oyster of Bay and Hempstead.

Bill S7527 would be an amendment to town law S212 and enable the Hicksville and Bethpage Water Districts to hold their elections annually in December. Currently, under the provisions of the Nassau County Civil Division Act, Hicksville's election is held in August while Bethpage holds elections in May. If the request to change the election date is granted, the date of the elections will be moved to the second Tuesday in December, the same date as Long Island's 200-plus special districts elections. In addition, the current terms of board members/commissioners would be extended to expire on Dec. 31 as opposed to the end of May or August.

"This bill is a first step," said Johnson. "The second Tuesday in December is the date where a majority of water districts across Long Island hold their elections. It just makes sense for these districts to join them and encourage greater participation in the process."

Since town improvement districts and fire districts already hold their elections in December, it is anticipated that changing the date would increase "voter turnout for water commissioner elections" and that "interests in the overall process will be increased." Additionally, the "amendment is part of a larger overall proposal that the water district has undertaken along with commissioners from other districts to attempt to develop a best practices program to improve administrative procedures and financial practices."

"We are seeking to implement changes that will increase accountability, transparency and voter participation," said Hicksville Water District Chairman Richard Humann. "By changing our date to coincide with other special districts we can eliminate much of the confusion that currently seems to exist."

Bethpage Water District Commissioner William Ellinger added, "By moving our election date to December, when all other water districts vote, we will be in line with a standard voting day and increase voter participation and accountability. It is our responsibility to hold our election on a date that is conducive to public participation."

- Victoria A. Caruso