Skoufis bill to move local elections to even years advances in Senate

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ALBANY- In Orange County in 2021 when the county executive’s race topped the ballot, 66,421 votes were cast compared to just over 124,000 one year later in 2022 when there was a statewide race for governor.  Both of these turnout numbers pale in comparison to the last presidential election year, 2020, when voter turnout was greater than 173,000.

These turnout trends are not unique, similar patterns existed in counties throughout both the Mid-Hudson region and statewide, however, that could change now that a bill that has languished in Albany for nearly a decade that would shift local elections to even years in an effort to boost voter participation has new life in the final days of the legislative session.

According to State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall), the bill’s sponsor, moving local elections to even years would go a long way to increase voter participation.  He has called the bill a “no brainer” citing both increased voter participation and the financial savings associated with his plan.  The bill is sponsored in the lower house by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D, Scarsdale).

The bill would apply to town and county elections across the state, which are oftentimes, but not always, held in odd numbered years.  The proposal does not apply to city elections because city elections are constitutionally required to be held in odd-numbered years.  In order to change city elections, a constitutional amendment and statewide referendum would need to take place.

Local elected officeholders serving in their elected term on January 1, 2025 would complete their full term unless the term expired in an odd-numbered year.  If that were the case, the term would terminate one year early to bring the new term on the even-numbered election cycle.

Republicans in the legislature have historically opposed the change, holding that local elections, which are more often shaped by issues rather than politics, would get lost among larger contests.  Local officials have little to do with addressing larger political issues such as inflation or immigration and opponents of the plan charge that consolidating elections will have down-ballot consequences.

Skoufis’ proposal was recently amended to make changes to concerns that were raised in prior versions.  The latest version of the bill also carves out some officeholders from the new rule, including county sheriffs, county clerks, district attorneys, and county level judges because changing those elections would also require a constitutional amendment.  The change would apply to county executives, county comptrollers, county legislators, and town officials.

“When voters are engaged, we end up with more representative local governments,” said Skoufis.  “The data shows us that simplifying our elections calendar to even years improves turnout on both sides of the aisle and will ultimately save taxpayers money down the line–a win-win.”

Skoufis expects the bill to move through the rules committee after the requisite aging period has passed since the amendment was made.  He then expects the bill to come before the full Senate for a vote before the state legislature gavels out for the year this Friday.





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