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Ballot question

City of Buffalo Proposal 1: Acting public officials

On the ballot in
City of Buffalo
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

Amends City Charter clarifying that any reference to the Mayor, Comptroller, Councilmember, Council President or Council president pro tempore includes any person holding such office in an acting capacity.

A “Yes” vote means

Adds a section to the City Charter clarifying that officials serving in an acting capacity have all of the powers of the permanent office.

A “No” vote means

Leaves the City Charter unchanged.

Official plain English statement

Currently the Buffalo City Charter provides for filling vacancies in certain public offices on an acting basis. This local law makes it clear that a person assuming the specific offices of Mayor, Council Member, Comptroller, Common Council President or Common Council President pro tempore on an acting basis has all of the powers and duties of the permanent position while in an acting capacity.

Question text is the summary line printed under the proposal's heading in the board of elections' "City of Buffalo Ballot Propositions 2026" document; the printed ballot's exact wording may differ. The explanation is that document's abstract.

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.