ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)—The New York Court of Appeals has unanimously decided to uphold a law that was passed in 2023, that would change most local elections to even years— aligning them with state and federal elections.
“This is a win for Democracy,” said Senator James Skoufis. “It’s a win for common sense.”
Skoufis is happy New York State’s highest court has issued an opinion to uphold the law he sponsored. The Democratic Senator said changing most local elections to even years will help increase voter turnout because it will line up with the presidential election cycle.
“In many jurisdictions, and what I expect here in New York, turnout in these local races will double,” said Skoufis. “In some cases, more than double. Right now, you have a small minority of voters who are choosing who holds these really important offices, like supervisor and county executive.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also voiced her support of the Court of Appeals’ opinion.
However, not everyone is pleased. Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said in part, “The only thing this law will accomplish is to nationalize every public office in every community throughout our state, taking the focus away from important local issues that impact New Yorkers.”
Similarly, Christopher Koetzle, the Executive Director for the New York State Association of Towns, shared his disappointment saying, “Holding town elections alongside state and federal contests undermines local government. Town issues will be overshadowed by national politics, ballot drop-off will increase, and local services risk becoming politicized.”
The even year phase in begins this year.
“Typically, if you would run for a two-year term, let’s say for town supervisor, or a four-year term for county executive or county legislator—-you’re running for a one-year term instead of two. Or a three-year term instead of four. That gets those offices onto an even year cycle and then it reverts back,” said Skoufis.
It’s important to note that not every election will be changed to an even year cycle because of the New York State Constitution.
“The biggest bucket are city local elections. So, New York City, in the Hudson Valley— Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Middletown, Albany–further north. We couldn’t move those elections even though we wanted to. We are going to be hopefully bringing up a constitutional amendment,” explained Skoufis.
According to Skoufis, this fully implemented change would ultimately save the state over $100 million dollars every two years.
