New York Republicans Challenge Election Law Changes

ALBANY – New York state Republicans are making a concerted effort to halt the Democrats’ plans to shift most local elections outside of New York City to even-numbered years. These changes could lead to fewer local voter turnout opportunities in non-presidential election cycles.

In a new lawsuit, the state Republican Party, along with representatives from Nassau, Suffolk, and Orange counties, is taking action against Governor Kathy Hochul in federal court. This legal move aims to overturn the recently enacted 2023 law.

William Brewer III, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, argues that “the even-year election law is unconstitutional and undemocratic.” He expresses concerns that this shift could silence local opinions and disrupt the relationship between voters and their local governments.

The lawsuit contends that the state law mandating local elections be aligned with even-numbered years infringes on both the First Amendment and the Voting Rights Act.

Proponents of the bill claim it was designed to boost voter turnout, as presidential and congressional elections tend to attract larger audiences compared to local elections held in odd-numbered years.

However, the lawsuit posits that merging local races with federal elections could turn these contests into mere partisan events, stripping away important local nuances. It warns that voters might rely more on party affiliations rather than candidate merits, undermining the democratic ideals protected by the First Amendment.

Last month, the New York State Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling led by Republican Justice Michael Garcia, dismissed attempts to overturn this law, prompting the Republicans’ federal challenge.

David Laska, a spokesperson for the state Republican Party, criticized Hochul and the Democrats for allegedly seeking to maintain dominance over local elections. “We believe local issues warrant focused attention,” he stated.

In response, Hochul’s spokeswoman, Emma Wallner, reiterated the Democratic stance. She emphasized the importance of increased public participation in government through the even-year election law, claiming, “We’ve won in court before and will prevail again.”

If the Republicans’ efforts do not succeed, 2027 will mark the first year where most local elections will not appear on the ballot during odd-numbered years.

Notably, while this law does not apply to New York City, residents will still face a related question on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election, regarding whether their local elections should also align with presidential election years.

This potential change has left some prominent New Yorkers surprised. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his concerns on social media, voicing that shifting to even years could sideline critical local issues and favor candidates with greater resources. He urged New Yorkers to oppose the proposed change.