There are no shortage of local races on the ballot for November’s election, but county residents shouldn’t lose sight of two statewide ballot propositions.

The first proposition is the final step necessary to enact pension forfeiture for state legislators convicted of corruption. The second, and lesser known of the two, gives New Yorkers the opportunity to call for a constitional convention.

New Yorkers have such an opportunity every 20 years and we hope voters take the next three months educating themselves on the initiative before going to their polling place in November. We don’t think anyone is particularly happy with state government, particularly its unwillingness to embrace real ethics reform. Is that unhappiness worth opening Pandora’s Box to special interests that are now in check by the same legislative inertia that we often find so frustrating?

Regardless of how you answer that question, now is the time to explore an issue that could affect New Yorkers for the next 20 years.