Northampton County voters to consider setting DA term limit
Northampton County voters have already decided to set term limits for the county executive, county controller and county council members.
Now they have a chance to determine if the district attorney should be subject to term limits as well.
The question to amend the county’s Home Rule Charter was planned to be on the primary ballot in April, but was not prepared in time. So it was placed on the ballot for Tuesday’s election.
If a majority votes yes, the district attorney could not serve more than four consecutive four-year terms beginning in January 2028, which would be after the next election for district attorney in November 2027.
Last November, voters by overwhelming majorities approved term limits for executive (83%), controller (84%) and council (84%). The executive and controller can serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms while council members are limited to three consecutive four-year terms (12 years).
The term limits for the controller and council began this year while the executive’s would start in 2026.
Referendum Election Question
Northampton County Home Rule Charter Amendment Article V – District Attorney
Shall the electorate of Northampton County approve a change in the Northampton County Home Rule Charter Article V, District Attorney, Section 501 to impose a term limits, on the District Attorney of Northampton County commencing with the term of office which begins in January of 2028? YES or NO
PLAIN ENGLISH VERSION: The ballot question asks the voters of Northampton County to amend the Northampton County Home Rule Charter so that the Northampton County District Attorney shall be limited to four consecutive terms. A vote of ‘YES’ on the ballot question would impose a 4 consecutive term limit for persons elected to the office of the District Attorney.