Saratoga County’s Board of Elections announced on September 10, 2026 that it would not certify the recent city charter referendum. The board cited two procedural problems: the filing deadline for the referendum paperwork was not met, and the language of the measure itself was deemed vague.
The decision means the referendum cannot move forward to a public vote until the identified deficiencies are corrected. Under state and local rules, the Board of Elections is responsible for confirming that all required documents are submitted on time and that the wording of any proposed charter amendment is clear enough to be understood by voters. When either of those criteria is not satisfied, the board is authorized to withhold certification.
Officials from the board explained that the missed filing deadline was a clear breach of the established schedule for submitting referendum materials. In addition, the board found that the wording of the charter amendment lacked sufficient specificity, raising concerns that voters might not be able to discern the exact changes being proposed.
The board’s refusal does not invalidate the effort to amend the charter, but it does pause the process. Advocates of the referendum will need to resubmit the necessary paperwork within the proper timeframe and revise the language to meet the board’s standards. Until those steps are completed and the board issues a new certification, the referendum will remain inactive.
The board’s action underscores the importance of adhering to procedural rules in local governance matters. By enforcing filing deadlines and clarity requirements, the Board of Elections aims to ensure that any changes to the city charter are presented to the electorate in a transparent and orderly fashion.