March 17, St. Patrick’s Day Election Law

On this date many people celebrate their Irish heritage even if they don’t have any Irish heritage.

Recognizing this, many years ago, the New York State Legislature incorporated a provision into the village election laws to prevent people from celebrating, or being encouraged to celebrate, and then go to the polls for the local election.

Two snips from the current village election law included in Sec. 15-104. General village election [Setting the election date]

Snip #1 The general village election shall be held on the third Tuesday in March…

Snip #2 In… any year in which the seventeenth day of March shall fall on such Tuesday, the board of trustees of such village shall provide, by resolution… that such election shall be held on the eighteenth day of March.

Just one more bit of trivia to add to your St. Patrick’s Day collection.

Wishing all a happy and safe Friday and St. Patrick’s Day, be ye Irish by birth or choice.

Dewitt’s Diary March 17, 1937, 1938, 1939, and 1940

Wednesday, March 17, 1937 Another day of blow. The roads are plugged except main roads. Walked to town. The roads sure are in bad shape for the amount of snow. About 7 inches.

Thursday, March 17, 1938 Made about a gallon and one-half of syrup for the first of the season. Rain and foggy all day.

Friday, March 17, 1939 Several inches of new snow. Working in the woods today.

Sunday, March 17, 1940 Clear and still. Snow not melting much. Went out skiing early this morning. Drove the car over to Edna’s folks today. We have got to have different weather if the snow ever goes. I measured the snow in the woods today. A good two feet deep where it has not blowed.