Most county leaders across the state are furious as lawmakers are expected to pass legislation late Friday to move the majority of municipal and regional elections even years
Supporters point to national research showing a more than 18 percent increase in voter turnout during presidential election years.
Sen. James Skoufis, the bill’s sponsor, says the change will maximize voter participation and improve New York’s democracy.
“As it stands now, in many of these local, municipal and county elections, you have 20 percent or so of the voters deciding the outcome for the entire jurisdiction,” he said. “Why are you so afraid that 50, 60, 70 percent of the voters will determine who should hold these local offices?”
Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin also says the change would save taxpayers money over time by reducing the number of elections held in the state, but county leaders are skeptical it would result in savings.
Officials elected halfway through a term could end their time in office, and those elected in an odd-numbered year after 2025 would have their term reduced, so the office would be up for re-election in the following even-numbered year. choice
County leaders across the state are exasperated by the move, saying national and statewide races will drown out local issues and make voters less engaged in their local elections.
“In local elections bound to be with state and national elections, it will absorb the media’s time; it will take the air out of the room,” said Michael Zurlo, president of the state’s Association of Counties and Clinton County Administrator. . “How is a town board member or a legislator or county supervisor going to have an opportunity on the platform to discuss real issues, issues that affect the day-to-day concerns of their communities? Will they be able to afford an informative space of 6 p.m.? Probably not.”
NYSAC officials say more than half of the county leaders in the state’s 62 counties, including both Republicans and Democrats, have contacted the organization to express their opposition and concerns about the proposed change . County officials have successfully killed passage of the measure in recent legislative sessions.
The mandate would not apply to city or town elections, or to specific elected offices protected in the state Constitution that are held in odd-numbered years, including county clerk, sheriff, district attorneys, judges local and others.
Lawmakers plan to introduce a constitutional amendment next session to add municipal elections to the mix. Approval by two consecutive legislatures would be required before voters would approve or adopt the change.
“This is about voter participation,” Paulin said. “We have other offices that we can’t move this year, but we’re on track to do that… There are parts, we want to be careful, but we want to change the county clerk, the sheriff, the town. justice and DA , and then also, of course, the cities. That’s the long-term goal. And the goal, of course, is for everyone to pay attention.”
But Zurlo argues that if voters come to decide the change for cities, counties and towns they should hold the same public referendum.
“I just can’t understand the reason for this legislation,” he said. “This is a local problem. This is a local government problem.”
They hope Gov. Kathy Hochul’s former roles as a local official, including Erie County Clerk, will help her hear pushback from county leaders and veto the bill.
Hochul seemed interested in the proposal when asked Wednesday, but added that she needs to see final legislation passed once it is sent to her desk.
“If you’re talking about turnout, I would say that having a year where there are more people running for a presidential or gubernatorial race, that’s an increase in turnout, and more people voting in those elections is always better for democracy.” , said the governor. . “But I haven’t had a chance to look at the details.”
Republican lawmakers are staunchly against the legislation, arguing that voters will be overwhelmed by the number of candidates and that it will prevent meaningful debate on local issues.
They also question Democrats’ political motives for changing the state’s election system that works well.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” said Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Smithtown. “The system works well. And if there’s a major problem in any local community, turnout takes care of itself.
“…You’re stuffing 5 pounds of you-know-what into a 3-pound bag doing that,” he added. “It’s going to overwhelm the voter. There’s not enough TV or radio time for all these candidates to get their messages across.”
But a number of nonpartisan good government groups like Common Cause, the state League of Women Voters and others generally support the proposed election law change. They also support the proposed constitutional amendment to extend the change to cities.
“Moving local elections to even-numbered years dramatically increases voter turnout,” said Ben Weinberg, director of public policy at Citizens Union. “And it also makes the electorate more representative of the population.”
Democratic representatives in the Senate and Assembly said Thursday they are confident the legislation will pass.
“It says everything you need to know about today’s Republican Party that they oppose anything that increases voter turnout,” Senate Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy said.
The state Board of Elections does not make general comments on proposed legislation until it is approved by the full Legislature.
But in a statement, a representative of the state Board of Elections said, “Regardless of the impact of the proposed legislation, if passed, the Board will abide by the new law and pursue any statutory changes that are necessary.”
The Legislature is also poised to pass legislation before leaving Albany later in the year, at least a day late, to change the date of New York’s presidential primary to April 2 in line with other northern states -East.
