“Reinvent Albany thanks Governor Hochul for signing “even year elections” into law, which will directly lead to more New Yorkers voting in local elections. We appreciate the governor forging ahead with this common sense measure and acting to strengthen New York’s democracy in a practical and immediate way. Cheers to the sponsors Sen Skoufis and AM Paulin and the many advocates who made this happen.”
Said John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany in a statement released by the governor’s office.
Reinvent Albany joined December 11, 2023 letter from voting and civil rights groups and a November 21, 2023 letter from the Let New York Vote coalition to Governor Hochul urging her to sign the Election Alignment bill (S3505B/A4282B.) She has, so starting in 2025 county and town elections outside of New York City will be shifted to even-numbered years so they are “on-cycle” with federal and state elections. Researchers have documented how voter participation doubles in even-year elections. Voting experts say moving off-year (odd year) elections to even years is single most effective way to increase voter turnout.
Let’s NY Votes November letter noted:
“Turnout was predictably dismal in this year’s odd-year elections across the state, from Erie to Suffolk counties and throughout New York City. Unofficial election night results show a statewide voter turnout rate of just 18 percent. That’s 2.3 times lower than the turnout rate in the 2022 general election. A true participatory democracy demands that all eligible voters have a say in the decisions that affect their communities, but such low turnout frustrates its possibility in our state.
S3505B/A4282B can change this narrative. It’s common sense that moving low-turnout elections to even years, where elections for federal and statewide offices attract significantly more voters, will boost turnout. Research supports this conclusion: several published studies comparing odd- and even-year elections have found that voter participation doubles in even-year elections. It’s no wonder that experts describe the policy as the single most impactful way to increase turnout in local elections.
Aligning local elections with even-year elections also has strong public support. A recent Siena College poll shows voters across party lines support moving local elections to even years. Knowing that it will improve voters’ ability to stay informed and cast a ballot for vital races, we agree with a majority of New York voters who responded that this reform is “good for New York.””