New York State’s Court of Appeals today upheld the 2023 state law requiring counties and towns to hold elections for certain offices in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years. Called the Even Year Election Law, it was presented as consolidating certain elections for county and town offices with even year elections for state and federal offices.
Opponents of the law challenged it in court, claiming in part that the law violates the home rule provisions of the State Constitution. Proponents of the law claimed that it would make it easier for people to vote in local elections and was a neutral law which changes the timing of elections in a manner common to all voters, and imposes no form of restriction, burden, or limitation on voting.
The appeals court decided that there is no express or implied constitutional limitation on the legislature’s authority to enact the Even Year Election Law.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins was among the first officials to react to the court decision.
“The Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision to uphold New York’s Even Year Election Law is a smart and practical step forward,” Jenkins said. “Moving local elections to even-numbered years will strengthen voter participation and reduce costs. This decision helps increase voter participation by aligning local races with state and federal elections and saves taxpayers money by reducing the number of election cycles.”
Jenkins said the court decision is a win for taxpayers and democracy and a smart step forward for the state.
“New York stood up and ensured that more voices are heard, more residents are engaged, and more communities are represented. It’s about making government more efficient, more inclusive and more responsive to the people we serve.”
An opposite reaction came from the executive director of the New York Association of Towns (NYAOT), Christopher Koetzle.
“I am deeply disappointed by the New York Court of Appeals’ decision this morning to uphold the Even-Year Election Law,” Koetzle said. “Holding town elections alongside state and federal contests undermines local government. Town issues will be overshadowed by national politics, ballot drop-off will increase, and local services risk becoming politicized. NYAOT is particularly troubled by the court’s characterization of local governments and its treatment of home rule. Supporting and protecting home rule is central to our mission, and we will continue to oppose any legislation or policy that weakens it.”
