Legal battle brews over when elections for certain offices happen
Rockland and several other counties have filed suit aimed at a new state law that makes local government elections the same year as national races which happen in even years.
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Rockland County and several other counties have filed suit aimed at a new state law that makes local government elections the same year as national races. which happen in even years.
Supporters believe the change will increase voter turnout for local races.
New York City elections are not included as well as district attorney, sheriff, and some judge races would still happen on odd years.
"You're not changing anything substantive. It's a violation of the local government's rights. And it's just something that we have to stop,” said Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach.
He says the change won't save money and people may pay more attention to the top of the ticket then the people that make decisions closer to home.
Rockland town supervisors wrote a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul in June 2023 mentioning those same points.
"Yes, while more people will show up. They will know less about what they're voting for,” said Humbach. "Having a low information voter base because there's too much information to be had in a particular election cycle, isn't helpful to the people of New York."
Humbach says their suit relies on a section in the state constitution about local powers.
"These lawsuits are politically driven,” said state Sen. James Skoufis, who sponsored the bill that became law.
"Why are politicians, like the ones we are seeing drive these lawsuits, so afraid of more people voting in their elections? That is ultimately the question that must be asked."
Parties are expected argue their side to a judge later this month.
Officials elected after Jan. 1, 2025 would have their terms shortened to match up with an even-year election cycle.
