ALBANY- Republicans are sounding off against a plan to move local elections to even years that is now headed to the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul. This past week in Albany, legislation that had been stalled for a decade passed both houses that would change when many local elections in the state are conducted.
Currently, many local elections take place on odd-numbered years. Even numbered years host elections for the state legislature, congress, Governor, and President. Voter turnout on odd-numbered years is significantly less than on even-numbered years, and Democrats who support the plan say the effort is designed to boost voter turnout and save money by reducing the cost associated with holding odd-year elections.
Republicans like Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, Walden) disagree with the plan. “Local government is the most impactful level of government on an individual’s daily life. Voters should be given the space to think about more intricate and nuanced local issues without the noise of national politics looming overhead,” said Maher. “Voter fatigue is a real concern and we don’t want to worsen this by making the election season louder and the ballot longer. Any gains made in the number of voters and supposed cost reductions are lost when the quality of discourse over local issues is reduced.”
Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) also voted against the plan. “This misguided legislation would take the focus off local issues and their solutions and place it onto presidential politics, where it doesn’t belong. Odd-year elections provide voters in Orange County and elsewhere with an opportunity to hear from and grill their local candidates, subjecting their public statements to popular scrutiny. All this would be lost amid the noise and fatigue of a presidential election. I won’t let Albany cancel our local elections without a fight,” said Rolison.
Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R, Deerpark) expressed concerns about the cost of the new plan. Brabenec believes that there will not be savings, but additional cost from the move. “This is another unfunded and unnecessary mandate by the Democrat majority that will cause mass voter confusion, be very costly to taxpayers to replace election equipment, and simply unnecessary. It is my hope that Governor Hochul will listen to local election officials and veto this horrible proposal,” said Brabenec.
Republican Elections Commissioners from Orange, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties also issued statements opposing the plan.
The measure now heads to the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul for approval or veto.
