New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has signed a bill into law that aims to increase voter turnout by synchronizing local elections with statewide races.
The legislation, signed on Friday, will move county and town elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, aligning them with legislative and statewide elections.
Governor Hochul expressed her support for the new law, stating that when New Yorkers do not participate in local elections, they miss an opportunity to have their voices heard in local government. She took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to announce her action and emphasize the importance of improving voter participation and promoting a more inclusive democracy.
However, it is important to note that the law will not impact elections that are not under the oversight of the state legislature. This includes judicial races and elections for New York City offices, as reported by The Associated Press.
Governor Hochul acknowledged the need for further changes, expressing her support for including those races as well. She considers the state constitutional amendment and the new law to be a "meaningful first step" towards expanding access to the ballot box.
In addition to increasing voter participation, the law is also expected to have fiscal benefits. Governor Hochul stated that it is a fiscally responsible approach that will reduce taxpayer costs for election administration by avoiding the need to hold elections every year.
Governor Hochul highlighted the significant difference in voter participation between even-numbered and odd-numbered years in New York State. In 2020, approximately 64 percent of voters participated, while only 25 percent participated the following year.
However, Republicans have raised concerns about the new law, arguing that it favors the Democratic Party, which currently controls the state. Local election officials have also expressed worries that smaller races may get overshadowed by higher-profile elections, according to The AP.
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