The Irvington Village Board adopted a local law that would permit raffles to be held within the village.

Now the law must be approved by a majority of residents who vote in the Nov. 8 general election.

Though, as Village Administrator Larry Schofper said, "More complicated laws have been passed by the village board without warranting a public vote," it is state law that any initiative allowing games of chance requires a referendum.

The idea of holding a raffle in Irvington came from community members' desire to reinstate recreation programs without collecting more in taxes.

Specifically, the village clerk would be allowed to issue permits to authorized organizations, including: non-profits, religious and educational institutions, and fraternal and volunteer firefighter organizations to hold fundraising raffles.

The text of the proposition to appear on the ballot is provided below:

Shall there be approved in the Village of Irvington, Local Law No. 6 of 2011 enacting Chapter 127 [Games of Chance(Raffles)] of the Code of the Village of Irvington. Said local law permits duly licensed authorized organizations to conduct raffles in the Village of Irvington, subject to the New York State law regulating games of chance, and was enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Irvington on September 26, 2011.

Is holding a raffle a good way to raise funds for community events and activities?