ALBANY — When early voting begins this week, Albany County voters will be asked to weigh the following change to the county charter:
“An Albany County Charter amendment which establishes additional qualifications for the position of county legislator. The amendment also establishes procedures for investigating and disciplining county legislators for violating these rules.”
The ballot question and the law passed this year that underpins it set forth specific acts of misconduct for which a legislator can be ruled unqualified for office and give the legislature new disciplinary powers for punishing lawmakers, which range from a formal reprimand to expulsion with a two-thirds vote of the body. The law passed this year amends the county charter and needs a public referendum to take effect…