Voters in Erie County have the chance to weigh in on how the government votes to extend the 8.75% sales tax.

Erie County Proposition 1 would allow the Democrat-controlled legislature to extend the tax without a supermajority. 

A “yes” vote removes the supermajority requirement and amends the county charter to allow for a two-thirds majority vote. A “no” vote retains the supermajority requirement.

“The temporary sales tax has been in [place] for 30 years,” said Legislature Majority Leader Tim Meyers. “It takes a supermajority to extend it every year. And we've seen in the past there's been a lot of gridlock. What this does is it just eliminates the supermajority. It just takes a majority of votes to continue the temporary sales tax.”

The proposition is backed by the Democratic half of the legislature. Republicans said removing the supermajority vote would take the people out of the process.

“Not only does this essentially turn all future extensions of the additional 1.75% into a rubber stamp, but it also sets a road map up where you could now see future increases to sales tax,” said Legislator Chris Greene.

Early voting is underway until Nov. 3. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.