Regarding a county's designated "official newspaper(s)."
I'm not an attorney, but the way I read Section 214, paragraph 2 in the New York
State Consolidated Laws, yes, each major party gets to designate a newspaper
of their choice. Independent papers are OK, too. There should be a total of at least 2 newspapers designated, if two exist in the county. (They don't have to be dailies.) The way I read it, a notice is published in BOTH newspapers, not one only. Swimmy?
2. Local laws and notices. The board of supervisors shall annually
designate at least two newspapers published within the county as
official newspapers for the publication of all local laws, notices and
other matters required by law to be published. In such designations
consideration shall be given to those newspapers advocating the
principles of the two major political parties into which the people of
the state are divided and their general circulation throughout the
county. However the fact that a newspaper is an independent newspaper
and not advocating the principles of any political party shall not
disqualify it from consideration. If there be but one newspaper having
circulation in the county, that newspaper shall be designated. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the clerk of the board shall cause a true
copy of each local law to be published in such official newspapers at
least once a week for two successive weeks, the first publication of
which shall be had within ten days after such local law has become
effective; provided, however, that any local law which is subject to a
permissive referendum shall be published in such official newspapers at
least once a week for two successive weeks, the first publication of
which shall be had within ten days after such local law is adopted.
Legalizing acts shall be published as provided in section two hundred
twenty-seven. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the designation
of additional newspapers for any publication and such designation shall
be deemed an official newspaper for the particular publication.
3. Erie county. The provisions herein requiring the designation of
official newspapers for the publication of election notices and official
canvass shall not apply to the county of Erie.
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